Install Python for The Ubiquitous Larch

You need to ensure that Python 2.7 is installed on your machine before running Ubiquitous Larch.

How you go about this depends on what you want to do. If you want to:

Use basic Python only: install standard Python; see option 1 below. Standard Python may come with your operating system.
Use Python science and mathematics; you have two options:
- Install standard Python then install the scientific libraries yourself (can be tricky); see option 1 below
- Install a scientific Python distribution; see option 2 below

Option 1: Install standard Python

Windows

You will need to install Python 2.7 on a Windows based machine. You can get it here.

Mac

Python 2.6 or 2.7 comes installed by default on most Macs.

Linux

Python is often installed by default on most Linux distributions. You will need to ensure that Python 2.7 is available. Please consult your Linux distro documentation for instructions on installing software.

Installing the scientific libraries

While Ubiquitous Larch can work without them, it is best used in conjunction with the scientific libraries. You will want to install NumPy, SciPy and matplotlib.

Option 2: Install a scientific Python distribution

Enthought distributes a scientific Python distribution called Enthought Canopy. It is a complete Python system that includes a wide variety of scientific libraries, including NumPy, SciPy and matplotlib.