[Gregory A Johnson]

Just started Head First Python. Downloaded and installed Python v 3.3. The IDLE functionality described at the beginning of Chapter 1 is not working. Colored syntax, auto indenting, Tab-Completion. Any suggestions? This is on windows machines, One Windows 7, and the same behavior on an XP machine.

[paulbarry]

I just checked this on my Windows 7 machine... and it works as described in the book.

A "Python 3.3" group was added to my "All Programs" menu after installation, and the group contains a "IDLE (Python GUI)" option which brings up IDLE. There's also the standard Python (command-line) option, which does *not* have the features you described, but the GUI option does. Are you picking the right option?

See attached screen-shot.

--Paul.

Attached thumbnail(s)

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[Gregory A Johnson]

paulbarry, on 05 December 2012 - 03:49 PM, said:

I just checked this on my Windows 7 machine... and it works as described in the book.

A "Python 3.3" group was added to my "All Programs" menu after installation, and the group contains a "IDLE (Python GUI)" option which brings up IDLE. There's also the standard Python (command-line) option, which does *not* have the features you described, but the GUI option does. Are you picking the right option?

See attached screen-shot.

--Paul.

Thanks for the speedy reply Paul. The book said nothing about how to start IDLE so I went to the install directory and ran python.exe (the shell). I since discovered the IDLE (Python GUI) and created a shortcut on my desktop for that. I was coming back to tell anyone reading my post to ignore it. I'm really new and green.
I've only coded in xbase language and have some retraining to do.
Greg

[paulbarry]

Thanks, Greg.

Yes, my bad - the book should be clearer on this. :-(

[One more edit for the 2nd edition].

Happy to see you are now on your way. Enjoy your journey! :-)

--Paul.

[kaysalas]

hello mr. Barry, really nice getting access to you. I encountered a difficulty in your h.f. Programming book, and left it to read through h.f. Python where i also encountered other issues but finally nice discovering this medium of getting across to you. My questions will start flowing in by tomorrow God willing. The issue right now is do i go back to h.f. Programming or continue with h.f. Python bearing in mind that i dont have any prior knowledge.thnx

[kaysalas]

hello mr. Barry, really nice getting access to you. I encountered a difficulty in your h.f. Programming book, and left it to read through h.f. Python where i also encountered other issues but finally nice discovering this medium of getting across to you. My questions will start flowing in by tomorrow God willing. The issue right now is do i go back to h.f. Programming or continue with h.f. Python bearing in mind that i dont have any prior knowledge.thnx

[paulbarry]

As you already have both books, the recommended approach is to go through HF Programming first, then tackle HF Python. Best of luck!

--Paul.