I’ve been playing around with Python recently. The language, that is, not the snake.
I thought I’d document how I installed it — along with the Django framework — on macOS (10.14) as I had to do a bit of messing about to get the correct result.
As is often the case there are different ways to do this (there are installers, for example) but this is the way I chose to do it, all via the macOS Terminal.
Homebrew
I installed Python via Homebrew, so if you don’t already have that then you’ll need to install it as follows:
/usr/bin/ruby -e "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install)"
Installing Python and Django
1. Make sure xCode is up to date
Execute: xcode-select --install
This may prompt for you to install other stuff along the way, which is fine.
2. Use Brew to install Python
Execute: brew install python
If all works well, go to Step 5.
3. Permission errors
If you see any messages related to permission errors, try:
sudo chown -R "$USER":admin /usr/local
sudo chown -R "$USER":admin /Library/Caches/Homebrew
Then try Step 2 again.
If that doesn’t work, try: brew link python
Then try Step 2 again.
4. Framework errors
If you get anything that looks like framework errors, try:
sudo install -d -o $(whoami) -g admin /usr/local/Frameworks
Then try Step 2 again.
5. Check Python and get the exact version number
Check Python’s okay with: python3 -V
You’ll need the version this returns in Step 8.
6. Install pip
Execute: sudo easy-install pip
7. Install virtualenv
Execute: sudo pip install virtualenv
8. Configure the virtual environment
Go to the directory you plan to keep your Python code in and execute:
virtualenv yourenv -p python3.7
Replacing the python3.7 with whatever version came up in Step 5, above.
9. Activate the virtual environment
Execute: source yourenv/bin/activate
10. Install Django
Execute: pip install Django
—
If all went well you should now have a working Python and Django environment.
Personally, Python gives me the willies and I much prefer PHP but it has been a while since I played around with Python and I wanted to refresh my meagre skills in this area.