WindowsPython

Installing Python

Python can be user installed.

1. Download Python windows MSI installer of the version you want from here. Note that there are options for the 32-bit or 64-bit version, but you might need to do some searching.
2. Click run, to run the installer
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3. Select Install Now. Make sure that you uncheck the "Install launcher for all users" box, because this will cause installation to fail.
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4. Finish the installation

This installer will automatically allow you to access Python from the command line by just typing py instead of the full path.

Installing Modules

Using an executable

Alternatively, python executable modules can be found on the web, and the executable installed

Using python

Modules can be installed as the normally would using python.

For instance if the python directory is in your path you merely navigate to the module directory and run:

python setup.py install

Using easy_install

These steps assume that Visual Studio is installed (It is by default)

First, we configure python to work with Visual Studio

1. Open the file msvc9compiler.py from the location C:\Path|To\Python\Folder\...\Lib\distutils\msvc9compiler.py using a text editor such as notepad
2. Replace the line containing toolskey = "VS%0.f0COMNTOOLS" % version with the following toolskey = "vs110COMNTOOLS" , where 110 is a three digit number corresponding to the version number of Visual Studio 2012

   • To do this, type Ctr + a to highlight all the text, and type Ctrl + f to search for the line to be replaced, and edit the file to replace it

3. Also replace the line containing mfinfo = self.manifest_get_embed_info(target_desc, Id_args) with the line: mfinfo = None

Next we install the module

1. Download the easy_install graphical installer from here
2. Run the downloaded file, it should open a command line and finish the installation
   • The installed files should be located in C:\Path\To\Python\Folder\..\Scripts
3. There are several different python modules, so note the name of the module you want to install. numPy will be installed here.
4. Open a command prompt, by pressing the start button, and searching cmd
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5. At the prompt, type the full path to easy_install executable and the name of the python module you need. ie. C:\Path\To\Python\Folder\..\Scripts\easy_install.exe module_Name

   where module_Name is the name of the module, numPy in this case

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   • Click to enlarge
6. Finally, press enter to run and install the module

Popular Executable Modules

numPy

Can be installed with the installer found here

sciPy

Can be installed with the installer found here

iPython

Can be installed with the installer found here