Install Python 3 & Django
Before you can have any fun then you must create a Python Environment that allows you to write code.
Essential Setup Steps:
- Install update of Python 3
- Create a Virtual Environment
- Install Django code libraries
There are perhaps hundreds of ways to do this setup and what works for you will rely heavily on your existing computer setup. This cookbook is the way that I find works for most people. Try this first and if you can't make it work then read the materials at the end of this document.
If all else fails then come to the interactive work sessions during our regular class period.
Python Version
Check to make sure that you have the latest version of python installed.
Terminal window
python --version
python3 --version
Python 3.7.6
Run Python 3
python3
Python 3.7.6
>>> print('I win')
I win
Install new version
Visit https://python.org
Download the Installer file Python 3.8.4
Virtual Env
Create a virtual environment
cd UNC-BACS-350
python3 -m venv .venv
Activate the virtual environment
source .venv/bin/activate
python3 --version
Python 3.8.6
# Any other version before 3.8 is bad
Install python packages
pip list
Package Version
---------- -------
pip 20.1.1
setuptools 47.1.0
pip freeze
pip install django pillow markdown django-crispy-forms requests
Collecting django
Using cached Django-3.0.8-py3-none-any.whl (7.5 MB)
Collecting pillow
Downloading Pillow-7.2.0-cp38-cp38-macosx_10_10_x86_64.whl (2.2 MB)
|████████████████████████████████| 2.2 MB 2.1 MB/s
Collecting markdown
Using cached Markdown-3.2.2-py3-none-any.whl (88 kB)
Collecting pytz
Using cached pytz-2020.1-py2.py3-none-any.whl (510 kB)
Collecting sqlparse>=0.2.2
Using cached sqlparse-0.3.1-py2.py3-none-any.whl (40 kB)
Collecting asgiref~=3.2
Using cached asgiref-3.2.10-py3-none-any.whl (19 kB)
Installing collected packages: pytz, sqlparse, asgiref, django, pillow, markdown
Successfully installed asgiref-3.2.10 django-3.0.8 markdown-3.2.2 pillow-7.2.0 pytz-2020.1 sqlparse-0.3.1
Check the installation
pip freeze
asgiref==3.2.10
Django==3.1.2
Markdown==3.3.1
Pillow==8.0.0
pytz==2020.1
sqlparse==0.4.1
which python
/Users/seaman/Sensei-2020/.venv/bin/python
Exit the virtual environment
deactivate
Debugging Your Install
Try the easy recipe above but if you get stuck don't give up. Dive in deeper to solve the problems that are associated with the different variations of computer setups. Consult these simple tutorials if you get stuck. The last one is a website that teaches you many alternatives.