How to Install Python on Windows, macOS, and Linux - Tips and Tricks

Python is an incredibly versatile programming language, used in everything from data analysis to web development. If you're getting started in Python or switching to a new machine, this guide will walk you through the steps of installing Python on Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems. Also, get familiar with some tips and tricks to make sure you get the most out of your Python installation.

Before we dive into the tutorial, it's important to note that Python comes in two main versions — Python 2.x and Python 3.x, with the latter being the most recent and supported version. This guide will focus on how to install Python 3.x.

Installing Python on Windows

Begin with downloading Python from the official Python website at https://www.python.org/. Navigate to Downloads > Python 3.x.x (where x.x represents the latest version). Be sure to select the version compatible with your Windows architecture (32-bit or 64-bit).

Once downloaded, run the .exe file. In the setup window, select 'Add Python 3.x to PATH' to set Python's path environment variable. This allows you to use Python from any command prompt or terminal window. Click 'Customize Installation' and make sure 'pip' (Python's package manager) as well as all optional features are selected. Choose the installation location (default is fine for most users), then click 'Install'.

To confirm installation, open a new Command Prompt window and type: 'python --version' which should return the installed Python version.

Installing Python on macOS

Python comes pre-installed on macOS, but it's typically an older version. We'll install a more recent version of Python without affecting the system version.

Head to the Python website at https://www.python.org/, navigate to Downloads > Python 3.x.x. Download the macOS 64-bit installer. Once downloaded, open the .pkg file and follow the instructions to complete the installation.

To verify the installation, open Terminal and type: 'python3 --version' which should return the installed version, for instance: 'Python 3.x.x'.

Installing Python on Linux

Python typically comes pre-installed on Linux. To check the installed version, open Terminal and type: 'python3 --version'.

If you need a newer version, you'll likely need to compile it from source. Here's how:

First, update and upgrade your system packages. On Debian-based distributions, you use the following commands:

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get -y upgrade

Next, install the necessary build tools:

sudo apt-get install -y make build-essential libssl-dev zlib1g-dev libbz2-dev libreadline-dev libsqlite3-dev wget curl llvm gettext libncurses5-dev tk-dev tcl-dev blt-dev libgdbm-dev git python-dev python3-dev aria2 vim

Then, download the Python source code from Python's official site, extract the source code, and navigate into the directory:

wget https://www.python.org/ftp/python/3.x.x/Python-3.x.x.tgz

tar xvf Python-3.x.x.tgz

cd Python-3.x.x

Finally, configure and make the build:

./configure --enable-optimizations

make -j8

sudo make altinstall

Keep in mind that compiling from source can take considerable time and resources, so patience will be required.

Hopefully, this guide demystified the process of installing Python on various operating systems. Python's open-source nature and active community stay its key strengths, paving the path for a bright future for Python learners and professionals alike.