Learn Python in 10 Minutes or Less

Ryan Weisenberger
Manager, Software Development

Python is the primary language used throughout Ultraseek. Python is only a few years old, but has quickly become robust and powerful. Having an understanding of Python can help you perform advanced customizations of the user interface, and easily augment Ultraseek’s behavior through patches.py. Anyone with experience in programming languages can pick up the basics of Python in just a few short minutes.

Step 1. Download the Python interpreter

Go to the Python website.
Click the “Download” link.
Click on the latest version of the Python interpreter. As of June 2005, this is Python 2.4.1.
Download the binary package of Python for your operating system.
Install Python on your system according to the Python installation instructions.

Step 2. Run Python

After you have installed Python on your system, you should run it according to the Python installation instructions. As Python starts, it will display something like the following:

Python 2.4 (#60, Nov 30 2004, 11:49:19)
[MSC v.1310 32 bit (Intel)] on win32
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license"
for more information.
>>>

That >>> is the prompt for the Python command-line interpreter. You can enter Python expressions directly into the interpreter, and immediately see their evaluation.

For example, enter 2+2, and the interpreter will return 4.

Step 3. Take the Python tutorial

Now that you have a fully functioning Python interpreter on your system, you should take the Python tutorial.

This tutorial will guide you through the basics of Python, such as the syntax, flow control, and the use of modules.

Step 4. Read a book or two

At this point, you should have a strong enough grasp of the basic Python programming concepts to go meddle around in the Ultraseek user interface, or maybe even patches.py. But if you really want to delve into Python, you should check out some of the Python books available. A comprehensive list can be found at the Python wiki.

Learn Python in 10 Minutes or Less

Step 1. Download the Python interpreter

Step 2. Run Python

Step 3. Take the Python tutorial

Step 4. Read a book or two

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