I have dabbled with Python as the development environment of my choice as it affords me a lot of flexibility. What I like most about Python is the development environment it provides which allows me to test out my code and ideas even before I compile my programs saving me a lot of effort, frustration and time. Another big plus is the graphical development environment; IDLE. Installing and configuring IDLE on Windows is a breeze. You just download and run an installable and you are done. On the other hand installing and configuring IDLE on Fedora Linux Core 6 was a painful task. At least for me.

However, the installation and configuring IDLE on Fedora 7 is extremely simple. Maybe it is because of the introduction of Python 2.5, Fedora 7 or my increased understanding of Linux and how it interacts with other applications. But the fact remains that I was able to install and configure IDLE on my Fedora 7 in less than 10 minutes in only three steps.

First you have you to install Tkinter (the graphics engine on which IDLE runs). Next you install Python-imaging (the nuts and bolts for Python graphical programming and lastly you install Python-tools which also includes IDLE. Of course all this needs to be done under root access. To install IDLE on Fedora 7 follow the steps described below.

[mukul@linux6 ~]$ su -
Password: 
[root@linux6 ~]# yum install tkinter
[root@linux6 ~]# yum install python-imaging
[root@linux6 ~]# yum install python-tools

The total download size is approximately 6.4 MB so the download itself will not take a lot of time. You can shorten the installation process if you install python-tools in the first step. Linux will determine that Tkinter is a dependency and download and install it automatically. Compare it with the sleepless nights I spent trying to get IDLE to work on Fedora Core 6 and it almost seems unbelievable.

Once the installation is done, just type idle on the command prompt to launch the IDLE development environment. Or if you prefer a graphical, mouse clicking way to launch IDLE, just create a launcher (Right Click on your desktop and select Create Launcher...) with the setting as shown in the accompanying image.