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Obtaining Python

As we alluded to earlier in Section 1.3.5, Python is available on a wide variety of platforms:

  • Unix (Solaris, Linux, FreeBSD, AIX, HP/UX, SunOS, IRIX, et al.)

  • Win 9x/NT/2000 (Windows 32-bit systems)

  • Macintosh (PPC, 68K)

  • OS/2

  • DOS (multiple versions)

  • Windows 3.x

  • PalmOS

  • Windows CE

  • Acorn/RISC OS

  • BeOS

  • Amiga

  • VMS/OpenVMS

  • QNX

  • VxWorks

  • Psion

There are currently three contemporary versions of Python today. 1.5.2 is the most stable version, having been released over a year and a half ago. Python 1.6, recently made available to the public in early September 2000 introduces several major new features and improvements over the 1.5 series. However, 1.6 is seen as more of a transition to the new Python 2.0, which was released in mid-October 2000. Which version should you use? The answer is based on your needs and expectations.

If you don't need all the fancy new features, but do desire rock solid stability, code which is backwards-compatible with the older releases (and cohabitating with existing Python installations), and is available on the greatest number of platforms, 1.5.2 is the obvious choice.

For all new projects, those without backwards dependence on older versions or Python, and those either wanting or needing to take advantage of the most crucial new features such as Unicode support, not to mention wanting to have access to the latest and greatest, cutting edge Python technology, you should start with 2.0.

1.6 is an alternative for those migrating from 1.5.2 to 2.0 who need a migration path, but is otherwise not recommended since it was only the most current version of Python by slightly over a month's time.


Last updated on 9/14/2001
Core Python Programming, © 2002 Prentice Hall PTR

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© 2002, O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.