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.. UHDAS/CODAS restructured text document
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.. _Installing-Python:

Installing Python
====================

We recommend that you get Python from
`www.python.org <http://www.python.org/>`_ if that is possible for
your operating system.


.. NOTE:: Version 2.5.x or 2.6.x should work fine, but we will
          not be able to use 3.x for another year or two.


Python notes for various systems:

    * **Linux** : you probably already have it; typical Linux distributions
      install it by default, and I suspect that any that do not
      install it automatically at least include it as an option.
      Check the version (eg. 2.5, 2.6, 3.0) to see if it will work
      with CODAS programs; install something compatible if needed.

    * **Solaris** or Irix, then it may be up to your sysadmin to install
      Python.

    * **OSX**: Although a version is included with OSX, it is recommended
      that you install the version from python.org.  It can coexist
      happily with the OSX-included version, allowing you to install
      whatever additional python packages you need without interfering
      with the system version.


    * **Windows**:

      - Get and install **two** components:

        (1) You need the basic  `Python installation <http://www.python.org/download/windows/>`_.

        (2) You need `pywin32 <http://sourceforge.net/projects/pywin32/>`_ or our
             python code will not be able to start the matlab engine.

      -  Check your PATH:

          (Control Panel : System: Advanced : Environment Variables)
           Make sure "python.exe" is on your PATH, e.g. if installation
           was in C:\\Python26 you should have C:\\Python26
           on your path.