How to get started with Python -- for Macs

All you'll need to get started is the Python programming language.
Although Macs come with Python, it is usually version 2.3.5.
We are using Python version 3.5.

To install this newer version (whether or not you have another one):

If you have MAC OS X 10.5 here is a link directly to the installer at python.org: Python installer .
1) Scroll down the page till the end until you see the heading FILES and click on "Mac OS X 32-bit i386/PPC installer".
2) Click on the link and then select Save and download the file named python-3.5.1-macosx10.5.pkg
3) Double-click the file python-3.5.1-macosx10.5.pkg to install. It will lead you through the installation; the default options will most likely be what you want. You may need to close browsers and restart during/after installing.
4) When you install Python in this standard way, you will also get IDLE, an editor tailored to the Python language. You can open IDLE simply by writing idle in the start menu on your desktop.

If you have MAC OS X 10.6 here is a link directly to the installer at python.org: Python installer .
1) Scroll down the page till the end until you see the heading FILES and click on "Mac OS X 64-bit/32-bit installer".
2) Click on the link and then select Save and download the file named python-3.5.1-macosx10.6.pkg
3) Double-click the file python-3.5.1-macosx10.6.pkg to install. It will lead you through the installation; the default options will most likely be what you want. You may need to close browsers and restart during/after installing.
4) When you install Python in this standard way, you will also get IDLE, an editor tailored to the Python language. You can open IDLE simply by writing idle in the start menu on your desktop.

That should be it -- please let us know if you have any troubles or concerns!