Installing Python on macOS in a Few Steps

Setting up a development environment for Python on your Mac is the first step to begin your programming journey. In this guide, you’ll learn how to efficiently install Python and set up your first development environment. We’ll use proven tools to ease the start. Let’s get started!

Key Takeaways

• Installing Python on macOS is straightforward and done through the official website.
• Using an IDE (Integrated Development Environment) such as PyCharm makes programming significantly easier.
• Make sure to use the correct version of Python to avoid complications.

Step-by-Step Guide

To work with Python, you first need to install the appropriate software on your Mac.

First, visit the official Python website at python.org. Here you’ll find the version you need for your operating system. Look for the download section and select version 3. This is the future of Python, and in the course we will work exclusively with this version.

Once the download is complete, open the downloaded file. An installation package will appear, which you can simply run. The installation window will provide you with plenty of helpful information. You just need to follow the process, which is usually self-explanatory. Click “Continue” and go through the steps.

After the installation is complete, you can check if Python was installed correctly. To do this, open Terminal, which you can find in the Applications folder under Utilities. With a simple command, you can verify whether Python is available.

Type python3 --version or python --version in the Terminal to display the installed version. You should see version 3.6 or higher, which you just installed. To ensure everything is working properly, you can also enter the command print("Hello World") and check if the output is correct.

If everything is in order, you can install the development environment that we will be using. I recommend the PyCharm IDE, which you can find at jetbrains.com. PyCharm has proven extremely useful for many developers, as it offers many helpful features that make programming easier.

Select the Community Edition on the website – it’s free of charge. Click “Download Now” and follow the download instructions. After the download, you’ll have a DMG image that you can simply open. Drag the PyCharm application into the Applications folder to complete the installation.

Launch PyCharm, and you’ll be prompted to create a new project. Choose “Create New Project.” Give your project a name, for example “Hello World.” Make sure to select Python version 3.6, as many of the examples shown in the course will not work correctly otherwise.

Once the project is created, the Python environment opens. You can now start creating your first Python file. Right-click in the project window, select “Python File,” and name your file “Hello World” as well. In this file, you can enter and run the code print("Hello World").

To run your program, click the “Run” button at the top of the IDE. PyCharm will suggest running the “Hello World” file. After running it, the output will be displayed in the bottom pane, and you’ll see the text “Hello World.”

With these basic steps, you’ve now successfully set up your Python development environment and executed your first code. I invite you to experiment further with Python and PyCharm to develop a better understanding of the language and its capabilities.

Summary – Using Python on macOS

In this guide, you’ve learned how to install and set up Python on your Mac. You went through the installation process step by step and created your first development environment with PyCharm. Use these fundamentals to deepen your programming skills and realize your own projects.