I have a few simple questions I was hoping people here could help me with.

1. What's a Python "Shell or just a Shell". I always hear those terms.

2. The Python that I downloaded "Macpython222 Active" can run on MacOSX. It said at the end that it would have some trouble doing something, I think it was automatically installing Carbon. Do I need to use Carbon to get Python to work?

3. After trying a script on IDE, I tried to go Edit, Run script...but Run script wasn't there. I saved, so what's wrong?

1) When you type "python" at a command line, you are faced with a prompt something like ">>>". That is a python shell.


2) I have no experience with MacOS X, so I have no idea.

3) IDE is a general term for "Integrated Development Environment". I presume you mean the standard python IDE, IDLE. Are you sure Run Script is in Edit? Seems like a funny place to put it. I haven't really used IDLe beyond glancing at it, so I can't help with this one either.

Well, the tutorial I read said it's in Edit. It's not however. I tried emailing the guy, because I didn't have IDLE it was IDE. He replied with a copy of my Email. A command line is just where I type stuff like if I type in 1+1 in the command line Python will reply with >>>2 and that's a shell right?

I imagine he took your questions as annoying questions, and you are lucky you even got your email back!

Btw. Excellent language choice: Python is a good way to get into SML.

Meh...he could of answered them...I wonder how he'll send back my automated Email message back. SML is another language?

Yes, SML is another programing language.

This may sound stupid...and it is. My Python IDE is stuck in my dock. When I open it up, I get the PYTHON sign and the Copyright info, then it just goes straight to my dock and I can't see the place where I type my things and run it. The program still runs, I just can't see it. When it's in the dock I double click it and nothing happens.

There might be an Active Python ditribution for Mac OS10. Active Python is generally better for the user freindly operating systems and it comes with some sort of cool IDE ( or so i've heard ).

I got python confused with MatLab once as they were open in two windows (long ago when i was bored and messing with programming languages), so Python is a good way of getting into Matlab.