Welcome to the world of programming! If you have a Mac and want to start using Python 3, you’re in the right place. This guide is designed to be easy to follow, even if you’re an absolute beginner. Let’s break down the process step-by-step.
What is Python?
Python is a programming language that’s known for its simplicity and ease of use. People use Python for all sorts of tasks, like building websites, analyzing data, and creating apps.
What is an Operating System?
Your Mac runs on an operating system called macOS. Think of it as the middleman between the software (like Python) and the hardware (your computer).
Step 1: Check if Python is Already Installed
Before downloading anything, let’s see if Python is already installed on your Mac.
- Open the Terminal. You can find it by going to
Finder > Applications > Utilities > Terminal. - Type
python3 --versionand hit Enter.
If you see a version number, Python is already installed. If not, continue to the next step.
Step 2: Download Python Installer
- Open your web browser and go to Python’s official website: python.org
- Click on “Downloads,” and then click on the version for macOS.
Step 3: Install Python
- Open the downloaded file by clicking on it in your Downloads folder.
- Drag the Python icon to the Applications folder when prompted.
- Follow the installation instructions on-screen.
Step 4: Verify Installation
Now, let’s make sure Python was installed correctly.
- Open the Terminal again (if it’s not already open).
- Type
python3 --versionand hit Enter.
You should see the Python version you installed. That means you’re good to go!
What Does --version Mean?
When you typed python3 --version, you asked your Mac to tell you which version of Python 3 you have. The --version is a command option that tells Python to display this information.
Running Your First Python Script
To start using Python, you can type python3 into the Terminal and hit Enter. You’ll see a prompt where you can start typing Python code directly. To exit, simply type exit() and hit Enter.
And there you have it! You’ve successfully installed Python 3 on your Mac. Happy coding!