Python Programming On Win32

Installation and Setup

Now it’s time to download and install Python, if you have not already done so. Point your web browser at http://www.python.org/ and click on the links to Download, then to Windows 95/98/NT, shown in Figure 1.2 (or follow the link from the Windows resources page). At the time of writing, the full URL of the download page for Windows is http://www.python.org/download/download_windows.html.

Figure 1.2. Windows download page

You need to download and install two files, both of which are standard Windows installation programs. First download and install the latest stable build of Python, py152.exe in Figure 1.2, then download and install the Python for Windows Extensions package, win32all.exe in the figure.

That’s all there is to it. On your Start menu, there should now be a program group named Python 1.X, containing a number of items. Figure 1.3 shows the present program group, though more may be added in the future.

Figure 1.3. Program items created by Python and PythonWin installation

To verify the installation, click on the PythonWin icon. A Windows application should start up and display an input prompt. Enter 2 + 2 and press Enter; you should be rewarded by a 4. Python and PythonWin are now successfully installed. In the next few chapters, we’ll show you what to do with them.

At this point, it’s well worth clicking on Python Manuals and browsing around. The manuals are stored in HTML format and are now installed on your hard disk. They include a tutorial and a complete library reference.