Linux

Start Python

Linux ships with Python installed, so the goal of this page is to make sure you can start a terminal and run Python from the command line.

• Open a Terminal command prompt. You can find the Terminal application at Applications/Accessories/Terminal, or it may already be on your menu bar.

• To start Python, type:

  python
  Python 2.7.1 (r252:60911, Jan 24 2011, 17:44:40)
  [GCC 4.3.2] on linux2
  Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
  >>>

note:The >>> indicates that you are at a Python prompt.

• Exit the Python prompt by typing:

  exit()
  

Now you’re back at the Linux command prompt (which looks something like username$).

Success!

Practice these steps until you feel comfortable navigating to a command prompt, starting Python, and exiting Python.