Python Programming Language & Eclipse Integrated Developer Environment (IDE) Key Concepts

Transcription

1 Python Programming Language & Eclipse Integrated Developer Environment (IDE) Key Concepts Python is a popular high-level programming language conceived of and developed in 1989 by Dutch programmer Guido van Rossum. Python focuses on readability and simplicity and is useful for both large and small programming projects. Eclipse is a multi-platform, multi-language IDE with many plug-ins available to facilitate writing programs in Ada, ABAP, C, C++, COBOL, Fortran, Haskell, JavaScript, Lasso, Lua, Natural, Perl, PHP, Prolog, Python, R, Ruby, Scala, Clojure, Groovy, Scheme, and Erlang. Definitions High-level Programming Language - Basically any programming language which focuses on usability by incorporating natural language and automating computing components such as memory management. Integrated Developer Environment (IDE) - A comprehensive environment for programming. Typically IDE's contain a suite of code editors, build tools, debuggers and version control systems. Useful Resources Eclipse - Eclipse Documentation - PyDev - PyDev Documentation - Python - Python Documentation - & Python for Beginners -

2 Python Installation (Windows) 1. Download Python bit Windows (Preferred) 32-bit Windows 2. Right click the Python installer then select Run as administrator in the context menu. 3. Check the box next to the option Add Python 3.5 to PATH. 4. Select Install Now. 5. On the desktop, hold shift + right click then select Open command window here. 6. Once Command Prompt opens type python on the command line then press Enter. If Python was installed correctly, information about the current Python installation will appear along with the Python command prompt >>>. Page 2 of 16

3 Eclipse Installation (Windows) 1. Download Eclipse Mars bit Windows (Preferred) clipse-inst-win64.exe 32-bit Windows clipse-inst-win32.exe 2. Run the Eclipse installer. If you experience an error telling you that Java is not installed, visit to download and install the appropriate installer of the Java Runtime Environment 8u66 for your operating system. 3. Select Eclipse IDE for C/C++ Developers. Page 3 of 16

4 4. Select Install. 5. Accept the User Agreement by clicking Accept Now. Page 4 of 16

5 6. Click Launch when Eclipse has finished installing. 7. Keep the default Workspace directory setting. Select Use this as the default and do not ask again then click OK. Page 5 of 16

6 8. After Eclipse finishes loading select Help from the menu bar. In the drop-down menu click Install New Software 9. Click Add. Page 6 of 16

7 10. Using the Add Repository window we will now add the PyDev repository. PyDev is a plugin for Eclipse which enables the programming, debugging and running of Python projects. Name: PyDev Location: After clicking OK in the Add Repository window, check the box next to PyDev after the repository list populates (This may take a few seconds). Finally, click Next. Page 7 of 16

8 12. Yes, we really do want to install PyDev so click Next. 13. Accept the terms of the license agreement then click Finish. Page 8 of 16

9 14. The certificate appears to be in order so click OK. 15. Click Yes to restart Eclipse. Page 9 of 16

10 16. Now we need to configure PyDev. After Eclipse has restarted, select Window from the menu bar and click Preferences. 17. From the menu on the left, expand PyDev > Interpreters > Python Interpreter. Finally, click Quick Auto-Config in the Python Interpreters pane. Page 10 of 16

11 18. If you have done everything correctly, the auto configuration should work. If Eclipse does not find your Python installation ask for assistance before continuing. 19. At this point a Windows Security Alert may pop-up for eclipse.exe, click Allow access. Page 11 of 16

12 Setting up a Python Project Before you can start coding, Eclipse needs to know where so store your program s files. By using projects, all the files necessary for a specific Python program to run can be kept organized and separate from other programs you may be working on. 1. From the menu bar, select File > New > Project to start the New Project Wizard. 2. In the Wizards menu, expand PyDev and select PyDev Project, click Next. Page 12 of 16

13 3. Call the project Project 1 and ensure that the Grammar Version reflects the version of Python installed on your system, 3.0 in this case, click Finish. 4. From the menu bar, select File > New > PyDev Module. This will create a.py file where you will be writing some Python code. Page 13 of 16

14 5. Name this module main and click Finish. 6. For the template, select Module: Main then click OK. Page 14 of 16

15 7. Modify the code in the editor to match the image above. 8. From the menu bar select File > Save then click the Run button or press Ctrl + F The Run As window will appear. Select Python Run then click OK. Page 15 of 16

16 10. If the console at the bottom of the screen shows hello world!, then congratulations, you have just written and run your first Python program! If you are interested in learning more about how to program using Python, Codecademy is an excellent place to start learning the basics in an interactive tutorial environment. Visit to get started! Page 16 of 16