The editor window is where we will write python code. From the IDLE menu bar (click on the shell window to ensure the menu bar is IDLE specific) click File, New File. This will open a new window called “Untitled” From back to front we have the IDLE menu bar, Python shell window and the editor window Save File. Python 2 is bundled with Mac OS X. However, Python 3 is not. We recommend that you download and install Python 3, and use Python 3 exclusively when running programs associated with this booksite. Perform these steps to download and install Python, IDLE, Tkinter, NumPy, and PyGame: Browse to the Python for Mac download page. How to run a Python script¶. Your best way to get started with Python on Mac OS X is through the IDLE integrated development environment, see section The IDE and use the Help menu when the IDE is running. For most Unix systems, you must download and compile the source code. The same source code archive can also be used to build the Windows and Mac versions, and is the starting point for ports to all other platforms. Download the latest Python 3 and Python 2 source.
Python is a programming language that’s widely used by both beginners and professional developers. This brief guide is written because many people search hot to Update Python on MAC computers. So we will show you how to install Python 3 on a Mac OS X computer.
Before you jump in the manual, do take note that there are a number of ways to install Python 3 on a Mac but with this guide, I’ll show you the two easiest ways to do so. Personally, the way I did it was using a package manager like HomeBrew (it is okay if you do not know what it is). Again, I’ll show you how you can do this method down below. I will explain how to install the Python 3 upgrade on a Mac.
Some Mac programs require Python 2, and when updating they may start to malfunction or stop working. Therefore, we won’t update the version, but install Python 3 in parallel. Python 3 and Python 2 can coexist without conflicts on the Mac the commands will differ slightly. For it could be somewhat frustrating that Apple does not supply the latest version, typically used these days, when learning Python.
Update Python MAC
How to install Python 3 in macOS with Installer
The easiest way is to download the Python installer from the python.org website.
- Visit Python.org and download the latest available Python installer file;
- Run the downloaded file and install Python 3.x on Mac.
- Python 3.6.x requires about 100MB of available disk space. The installation process is very fast;
- When Python 3 is installed, you will see the Python3 folder in /Applications on your Mac. You will also see IDLE in the /Applications.
The Python installation may require about 100MB of disk space to install. Once you’ve installed Python 3 you can have it alongside Python 2 without having to delete the latter from your Mac.
Next method will show you how to install Python 3.x on a Mac through Homebrew.
How to install Python 3 using Homebrew
Installing an updated version of Python 3 through Homebrew is extremely simple. Of course, Homebrew should be installed on your computer, however, if you are interested in this method, then you probably have already used the program more than once.
First of all, you’ll need to have this thing called HomeBrew installed on your Mac. Homebrew is basically a “package manager”. A package manager is an application that helps you install the stuff you need that Apple (or even your Linux System) hadn’t installed in the first place for you.
It’s simple, fast and safe.
Second, you will need to have installed XCode onto your Mac. If you’re thinking of learning how to program or creating iOS apps on your Mac, then it’s good to have XCode installed. We will be using XCode to install HomeBrew application.
Note
If you have already installed XCode onto your Mac you can skip step 1 and jump straight to step 3.
Here are the steps to install XCode, HomeBrew as well as install Python 3 using HomeBrew onto your Mac:
- Jump into your Terminal app on your Mac and run the copy/paste the following command into the Terminal to install XCode onto your Mac:
- Simply click through all the confirmation crap that XCode shows. It may take a little while to install XCode since it is a large program.
- Great! Now that you have XCode installed, you can install HomeBrew! To install HomeBrew, simply copy/paste the following command into your Terminal:
Note
You can confirm the HomeBrew installed correctly by running the command: below:
- You’ve installed HomeBrew! Now let’s install the Python 3, the reason why you’re here. To install the latest version of Python, just copy/paste the following command into your Terminal:
Note
You can confirm which version of Python was installed all by running the command below (the exact same command you tried earlier in this guide). It should show up as follows:
- Finally, let’s run our new Python 3. Simply enter
python3.
How to Find out the Installed Version of Python
Open the Terminal program and use the following command:
In most cases, Python 2.7.x will be installed on macOS: either 2.7.4 or 2.7.10.
If you installed the Python update, you can check the version with the following command:
Once again, both versions of Python can coexist without conflicts.
Note: Once again, I want to remind you that you do not need to upgrade Python 2.x to Python 3.x, because this can lead to program malfunctions. Just install the updated version in parallel.
Python for Mac OS X
Python comes pre-installed on Mac OS X so it is easy to startusing. However, to take advantage of the latest versions ofPython, you will need to download and install newer versionsalongside the system ones. The easiest way to do that is toinstall one of the binary installers for OS X from thePython Download page. Installers areavailable for the latest Python 3 and Python 2 releases thatwill work on all Macs that run Mac OS X 10.5 and later.
Python releases include IDLE, Python's built-in interactivedevelopment environment. If you download and install Pythonfrom the release page, you may also need to download and installa newer version of Tcl/Tk for OS X. See theIDLE and Tkinter on OS X page formore information.
You can run a Python interpreter by double-clicking onApplications / Utilities / Terminal and typing python3 (if you'veinstalled a version of Python 3) or python (to use Python 2) inthe window that opens up. You can also launch IDLE for the Pythonversion you have installed by double-clicking its icon inthe appropriate Python version folder in the Applications folderor you can also just type idle3 or idle in a terminal window.
There are many thousands of additional Python software packagesavailable through PyPI, the PythonPackage Index. We recommend you use thepip tool to simplifyinstalling and managing additional packages. pip is includedwith Python 3.4 releases; for earlier releases, follow the pipinstall instructions.
Among the packages available through PyPI are some that arespecifically for OS X environments. Among these are:
- pyobjc which providesa bridge between Python and Objective-C, allowing you to writefull-featured native Cocoa applications in pure Python.
- py2app which allowsyou to make standalone OS X double-clickable application bundlesand plugins from Python scripts.
For more information about Python on OS X, see the mailing list and archivesfor thePython-Macintosh Special Interest Group.
Alternative Packages for Mac OS X.
- ActiveState ActivePython(commercial and community versions, including scientific computing modules).
- Enthought Python DistributionThe Enthought Python Distribution provides scientists with a comprehensive setof tools to perform rigorous data analysis and visualization.
Idle Python Download
Python and a comprehensive set of third-party packages and libraries are alsoavailable from several open source package manager projects for OS X,including: