Learning Python, 6th Edition

Appendix A. Platform Usage Tips

One of Python’s main strengths is its portability: most of the code you’ll write in your Python programs will work the same on all computing platforms. This has limits, of course; programs that use Python’s portable libraries weather device hops better than others, and platform idiosyncrasies and restrictions can sometimes pose interoperability hurdles that require special handling. But by and large, the Python language is cross-platform by design.

Python’s portability means you can run its code on just about every computing device on the planet—from smartphones and tablets to PCs and supercomputers—and each of these systems has unique setup and usage details. While this appendix cannot be an exhaustive user guide for every one of those devices, it provides just enough info to help you prepare to run this book’s code examples on your popular platform—or platforms—of choice, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

Before we get started, here are two quick content notes up front. First, because you’re going to have enough on your plate just learning Python itself, the focus throughout this appendix is on keeping it simple. There are many ways to run code, and you may find advanced options useful once you graduate from Python novice to master. Especially when starting out, though, this book recommends walking the easiest path.

Second, a usage appendix like this is unavoidably doomed to grow out of date soon, given the rapid and constant ...