The tabs above contain all of the content required to complete the program assignments for COSC 1336 unless otherwise specified in the assignment requirements. Given the abundance of valuable content available online, students are encouraged to also access the alternatives at the Resources tab.

Steps:

Enroll: austincc.edu.
Log in to Blackboard.
Follow procedures as outlined in the syllabus.
Complete the Orientation Exam and Assignments by the due dates.

See the syllabus for more information about course policies and procedures.

Downloading & Installing Python

Foreword

When learning a new programming language, it is a good idea to obtain some experience working with command line tools for that language. To accomplish this, we will begin by downloading and installing the latest stable version of Python. Then, we will write a few minor programs using the Python interpreter from the command line before proceeding to use the PyCharm IDE in subsequent chapters. Note: The installation steps on this site apply to your personal machine, NOT the machines in the ACC Computer Science labs.

Download Python

Navigate to the Python site to download the latest version of Python. Select the latest stable version in the download section. The latest stable version listed will likely be a higher version than examples provided in this course.

I'm using Windows so I chose the file highlighted. Choose the correct file for your installation.

Double-click the executable that was downloaded to your download location. I download to the desktop and the .exe looks like this:

Install Python

First, select the Add Python 3.7 to PATH option shown at the bottom of the dialog. Then, select Custom Installation.

Leave all items here selected and then click Next.

I recommend installing for All Users in case you log in as a different user. Also, I strongly recommend that you install Python directly to C:\ as shown below. In my experience, there are fewer configuration issues when development tools are installed directly to C:\. Select Install.

Installation only requires ~1 minute. You are encouraged to browse both the online tutorial and the documentation at the links in the dialog. Bookmark those links.

Now let's confirm that Python was installed successfully. Open a command prompt and type python to see the following. Seeing a Python prompt (>>>) confirms that the interpreter is running. By selecting Add Python 3.7 to the PATH which we did in a dialog above, we can run python from any directory on the computer and not just from where the python.exe executable resides. Type quit() or Ctrl-Z when ready to exit Python.