Welcome! We're so glad you'll be able to join us. There are a few things you'll need to set up on your computer and be comfortable with before the event, if you aren't already.

If you need help with any of these steps, we'll be providing virtual office hours (check your email). We'll also be providing drop-in help in Chicago the night before the event -- Thursday, 5-9pm, at Northwestern's Schaffner Library (339 E Chicago Ave).

The event hashtag is #ala2013py.

Steps

Set up Python on your computer

Install Python on your computer and make sure you can run it, according to the instructions for your operating system: Windows, OS X, Linux.

You will need to bring this computer to the workshop.

Set up a text editor

Install a text editor suitable for programming: Windows, OS X, Linux.

Note: The link for Smultron (for Mac) has changed since these instructions; it's at the big green download button here.

If you already have a preferred text editor, that's fine. A word processing program will not work. If you're not sure of the distinction between a word processor and a text editor, install a text editor according to the instructions above. A TA will be happy to explain; please ask!

Practice starting & exiting Python

We'll do a lot of learning and practicing at a Python prompt (this is "interactive" because you are typing the code and hitting enter to run it yourself, instead of running it from a file). So let's practice starting and exiting Python: Windows, OS X, Linux.

Practice navigating your files from the command prompt

We will be running files containing Python code (Python "scripts") from the command prompt. You'll need to be able to navigate to those scripts using the command prompt so you can run them. In this section, we'll practice using these navigation commands.

Instructions for Windows, OS X, Linux.

Practice running Python code from a file

Interactive Python programming at a Python prompt is great for short pieces of code and for testing ideas. For longer code, it can be easier to save the code in a file, and execute the contents of that file (aka a Python script). In this section, we'll practice running Python scripts. Windows, OS X, Linux.

Get dependencies installed for projects

We will have a project hour so you can get hands-on practice. You will have a choice of the ColorWall project or the Wordplay project. There's also a state capitals script you'll need.

dependency: A dependency is a program that another program needs to run. For instance, PowerPoint's dependencies include the Windows or Mac operating systems.

The instructions mention a Twitter project. We will not be doing the Twitter project and you should not install those dependencies.

Instructions for Windows, OS X, Linux.

Optional: Get started learning Python!

If you're anxious to dive right in, go ahead! If you'd rather have people around to ask for help, that's fine too. We'll be working on this tutorial together, in a self-paced way with plenty of TAs, on Friday morning. If you've finished it, we'll have more advanced options to work on. If you haven't started, that's fine too.

If you'd like to get started, do the interactive tutorial and then practice with some CodingBat questions.