Python online course

Install Python 3

Get a current CPython build onto Windows, macOS, or Linux and prove it works.

Python 3 is the language you want. Python 2 reached end of life years ago, and new packages no longer support it. Install the official CPython build from python.org, or use the package manager that already ships with your OS.

Windows

  1. Download the latest Windows installer from python.org.
  2. Run it. On the first screen, check Add python.exe to PATH before you click Install Now.
  3. If you missed that checkbox, use the PATH lesson instead of reinstalling blindly.

macOS and Linux

macOS users can install from python.org or Homebrew (brew install python). On Debian and Ubuntu, sudo apt install python3 python3-venv python3-pip is enough for class work.

Prove the install

python --version
python3 --version
py --version

Windows often exposes the launcher as py. Linux and macOS usually want python3. Use whichever command prints a 3.x version, then create a virtual environment before you install libraries so you do not pollute the system interpreter.