Python Install¶

macOS already includes an older Python, so install the current version from python.org.

Verify any existing Python version

Open the Terminal and run the command below.

python3 --version

Note: On macOS the command may be python or python3, depending on how Python was installed. We use python3 throughout this course to avoid confusion.

Download Python

Download Python only from the official, trusted site: python.org/downloads.

Install Python

1. Double-click the downloaded package.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation.

Verify the installation

Run the same command again in the Terminal.

python3 --version

Output: You should now see the Python version you just installed.

Test the Python interactive shell (REPL)

1. Start the Python shell:

python3

1. You should see a prompt like this:

Python 3.14.6 (v3.14.6:c63aec69bd5, Jun 10 2026, 08:07:54) [Clang 21.0.0 (clang-2100.1.1.101)] on darwin
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>>

1. Type each line and press Enter:

2 + 2
3 + 3
10 / 5
print("Welcome to Python")

1. Exit the shell:

exit()

Remember to tick "Add python.exe to PATH" during install, or Python will not run from the Terminal.

Download Python

Download Python only from the official, trusted site: python.org/downloads.

Install Python

1. Double-click the downloaded package.
2. Check the box "Add python.exe to PATH" at the bottom of the first installer screen.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation.

Important: The "Add python.exe to PATH" checkbox is easy to miss. If you skip it, Python will not run from the Terminal. If that happens, run the installer again and tick the box.

Verify the installation

Windows Terminal is the modern app that runs Command Prompt (cmd), PowerShell, or other shells. It is the recommended way to use Python on Windows.

1. Open Windows Terminal: press Windows + R, type wt, and press Enter.
2. Run the command below.

python --version

Output: You should now see the Python version you just installed.

Note: On Windows the command is python, not python3. (macOS and Linux use python3.)

Test the Python interactive shell (REPL)

1. Start the Python shell:

python

1. You should see a prompt like this:

Python 3.14.6 (tags/v3.14.6:c63aec69bd5, Jun 10 2026, 08:07:54) [MSC v.1944 64 bit (AMD64)] on win32
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>>

1. Type each line and press Enter:

2 + 2
3 + 3
10 / 5
print("Welcome to Python")

1. Exit the shell:

exit()

On Linux you install Python through the system package manager (apt or dnf), so there is no separate download from the website.

Verify any existing Python version

Open the Terminal and run the command below.

python3 --version

Note: On Linux the command may be python or python3, depending on the distribution. We use python3 throughout this course to avoid confusion.

Install Python

Use the package manager for your distribution.

Ubuntu / Debian

# Refresh the package list
sudo apt update

# Install Python, pip, and venv
sudo apt install python3 python3-pip python3-venv

# Install build tools and dev headers (some packages need these)
sudo apt install python3-dev build-essential

RHEL / CentOS / Fedora

# Refresh the package metadata
sudo dnf check-update

# Install Python, pip, and dev headers
sudo dnf install python3 python3-pip python3-devel

# Install build tools (some packages need these)
sudo dnf groupinstall "Development Tools"

Verify the installation

Run the command again in the Terminal.

python3 --version

Output: You should now see the Python version you installed.

Test the Python interactive shell (REPL)

1. Start the Python shell:

python3

1. You should see a prompt like this:

Python 3.14.6 (main, Jun 10 2026, 08:07:54) [GCC 13.2.0] on linux
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>>

1. Type each line and press Enter:

2 + 2
3 + 3
10 / 5
print("Welcome to Python")

1. Exit the shell:

exit()