Running Python Scripts on a Mac

If you're familiar with Python on other Unix platforms, you'll want to read our section on running Python scripts from the Unix shell. However, if you're new to Python, it's best to start by reading our tutorial introduction.

IDLE, the development environment that comes with official Python distributions, includes a help menu that allows you to access Python documentation. It's essential to keep in mind that if you choose to install a newer version of Python from Apple, you'll end up with two functional Python installations on your computer. This means it's crucial to ensure your paths and usages are consistent with what you want to achieve.

You should never modify or delete the default Python installation provided by Apple, as these files are controlled by Apple and used by Apple- or third-party software. The Apple-provided build of Python is installed in `/System/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework` and `/usr/bin/python`, respectively. A symlink to the Python executable is also placed in `/usr/local/bin`.

To uninstall MacPython, you can simply remove these three files: the framework `/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework`, which includes the Python executable and libraries; IDLE, the development environment that comes with official Python distributions; and `PythonLauncher`, which handles double-clicking Python scripts from the Finder.

The installer also adds this location to your shell path. After installing MacPython, you'll get a number of things:

* A current 'universal binary' build of Python, which runs natively on both Intel and legacy PPC CPUs.

* If you wish, you can install the most recent version of Python 3 from the Python website.

* Mac OS X 10.8 comes with Python 2.7 pre-installed by Apple.

Python on a Macintosh running Mac OS X is very similar to Python on any other Unix platform, but there are some additional features worth noting, such as the IDE and Package Manager.

By following these steps, you should be able to run your Python scripts successfully on your Mac.

How to run python script on mac