Python Specification and Installation

Python specification

Python is a specification for a language that can be implemented in different ways. There are many implementations of this specification written in different languages. A Python implementation is also known as a Python virtual machine (PVM).

The different popular Python implementations are:

• CPython: It is the reference implementation written in C.
• PyPy: It is written in a subset of the Python language called RPython.
• Jython: It is written in Java.
• IronPython: It is written in C#.

All the implementations are compilers as well as interpreters. The compiler converts the Python program into an intermediate bytecode. This bytecode is then interpreted by the interpreter.

Python installation under Windows

Python has evolved over the years. At the time of this writing, the latest version for Windows and Linux environments is Python 3.8.2.

Python is not shipped as part of the Windows OS. So it needs to be installed separately. Download the Python installer from the official website.

While downloading, ensure that you choose the appropriate installer from the following options, based on whether you want to install it on a 32-bit or a 64-bit machine:

• 64-bit machine: Download Windows x86-64 executable installer
• 32-bit machine: Download Windows x86 executable installer

Once you’ve chosen and downloaded an installer, execute it by double-clicking on the downloaded file. A dialog shown in the following figure will appear on the screen.

In this dialog, select the check box “Add Python 3.8 to PATH” to ensure that Python’s executable location is added to your execution path.