Help!

[Markx]

Hey guys, I'm traveling at the moment so I downloaded Python onto my laptop so I could keep learning while I pretend to work. I'm having a problem. When I try to make a directory I get a syntax error. I am typing mkdir myprogs. Is this because I have a 32 bit version of Python on a 64bit machine? Someone please help. I will be on the road for a few weeks and learning to code has become my passion.

[liz]

Are you typing that at the Python prompt or at a command prompt? (You should be typing it at a command prompt.)

[Markx]

Hi Liz, I'm typing python at the command prompt then I'm typing mkdir. Am I doing this arse about face? Sorry I'm a bit thick!

[liz]

Do it the other way around!

[Markx]

Will do. But how do I execute scripts from it? First time I've used python on a laptop or on any os except raspian. I'm a little confused so bear with my stupidity.

[liz]

Generally you'd do that from the command line, by typing:

Code: Select all

python nameofscript

I'm off to bed, but I'm sure someone else can help you! (You might find a book on Python helpful - there are some free e-books at http://readwrite.com/2011/03/25/python- ... ingly-popu.)

[Markx]

Goodnight and thank you. I've been using zed shaws learn python the hard way, the magpi, and think python. They are all very useful. It's just python and windows that I am a little confused about. I love my Pi. Thanks again.

[aelsas]

Hi,

what operating system is on the laptop?

Best regards

Alex

[ghans]

Windows still supports most commands listed under "DOS" :
http://www.yolinux.com/TUTORIALS/unix_f ... users.html

Can you start the python interpreter on the command-line
at all ? I always worked with IDLE and did not
come across that mode on Windows.

ghans

[Markx]

Thanks to one and all for the speedy replies and offers of help. (And for not mentioning my stupidity.)
The great Zed A Shaw of learn python the hard way fame has released a brief but very usefull guide to the command line for Linux, apple, and windows machines. It is called clilearncodethehardway. It is simple to understand and well written.