How to Code Python on Mac

Can you explain to me how to code Python on Mac?

The beauty of Python is that the code is going to be the same for the most part whether it runs on a Unix box, iOS system or Windows OS.

I've heard there were differences in the programming.

The Python version of the Hello, World program is exactly the same. The biggest difference will be getting to the command prompt to run it.

And the commands to run it.

For programmers, the bigger differences will be the development tools you can use. For example, some IDEs run on Mac while others won't.

I have no idea what an IDE is.

An IDE is an integrated development environment. You should be writing your code inside an IDE.

Give me an idea of why that matters.

WingIDE and Geany run on the Mac. There are others that don't.

That's an IDE. What about the text editors for Python I keep hearing about?

Komodo Edit runs on Mac. If you use Geany, it has the GTK text editor in it.

After I get an IDE and text editor installed, what then?

Start reading.

I know Python is supposedly very readable. Should I read code samples?

You could, and at some point, should. However, I meant to read a few books on programming in Python.

I thought I'd watch a few tutorials.

That's a fair introduction, but you need to read a few hundred pages on the programming language to learn the best practices before you try to practice on the PC.

Python's more often used on servers than for PC apps.

You might want to read the most common questions on Python on programmers' sites like Stackoverflow to learn from the mistakes others have made. And check that site before you ask them your questions.

Why?

Because people who code in a language named for Monty Python ironically don't find repeating themselves funny.