Required Software

To get the most out of this course, we highly recommend that you use your own computer for exercises. The following software is used in the course:

• Python 3.5 (or newer)
  • The Python interpreter most of our exercises are done with. It offers all major improvements of the Python 3 series used in the course.
• Cython
  • A compiler from Python to C code. It allows creating pre-compiled plugins for improved performance.
  • You also require an actual C compiler, such as gcc, clang or mingw, and the python header files.
• PyPy 3.5
  • A Python interpreter with a JIT compiler. It allows running Python code unmodified, with superior speed and memory usage.
  • The course can be done without using pypy. However, we highly recommend using pypy before trying maintenance heavy alternatives.
• Python IDE
  • Please use an IDE for developing code! The choice is up to you. In case you do not know any IDEs, the tutors will be using PyCharm CE.

Installation Hints

Under recent Linux and MacOS, you should be able to get all software via package managers, or from the respective homepages. However, older OS may not have everything available.

The following are some hints for acquiring the software. They do not cover all cases and OS'.

You can also use Anaconda, which provides Python 3.6 and Cython.

Mac OS and OSX

All software is available with the homebrew package manager.

brew install python3
pip3 install cython
brew install pypy3

Linux

Recent Linux distributions should have all software available via their package managers, i.e. yum or apt-get. If any of it is not available, build it from source.

• Python3 download
• Once you have Python3, you can install Cython via pip. pip3 install cython
• Pypy3 download and install (Note that you must build pypy3, not pypy)

Windows

Note that we highly recommend not to use Windows unless you are familiar with deploying Python on it. The course has been developed for UNIX, and tutors cannot give any advice specific to Windows. Consider using a virtual machine or Cygwin.

• Python3 download
• Once you have Python3, you can install Cython via pip. pip3 install cython
• There is currently no release of pypy3 for windows.