CS 231: Algorithmic Problem Solving

Setting up Python and Wing 101 at Local

Instructions for Windows Users

If you are using a Mac operating systerm, click: here.

If you are using a Linux operating systerm, click: here.

1 Go to the Python Download page, which is located at Python 3.12.9 Download Page.You should see the following on the bottom of the page.

Python Website
2

Click on the links that for your operating system. It should immediately start a download of Python. If you are redirected to another page, scroll all the way to the bottom and choose the download option that matches your Windows version.

3 Double click the file you have downloaded to install Python 3.12.9. It should open up an installation window like this one:.

Python Installer

You can follow the default settings for the installation. Make sure to allow Python to make changes to your computer for the installation to work.

The Python installation path will be displayed during installation. Please write it down. The one in the picture is:

C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python312 so the executable file path is:

C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python312\python.exe

Once the installation is done, make sure that you can find where your Python file is. If you can't, try going into the folder:

C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python312

where USERNAME is your Windows profile name, X is the version that you download. Then you should be able to find a file named python. The executable file path is:

C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python312\python.exe

Note: If an error pops up at the end stating: "User cancelled installation". Then, when you rebegin your installation, uncheck the box for "Install launcher for all users (reconmmended)".

4 You will now be guided through the Wing 101 installtion process. Wing 101 is an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) like Dr. Racket. It allows you to write and run code in one program. Go to the Wing IDE download page, which is located at Wing 101 Download. Make sure that the top of the page says Wing 101 as this is the free version of Wing.

Wing Website
5 On the right-hand side of the page, there will be two green buttons. Press on the top one (the one highlighted in yellow below) to download the installer.

Wing Download>
6 Once the installer is downloaded, double-click on it to open it. It should open a window accept the agreement. Press "Next" to continue. Follow the steps of the installer to install Wing 101. Make sure to agree to the license agreement to be able to use Wing.

Wing Installer
7 Once the installation is finished, you might need to lookup Wing 101 in your programs to be able to open it.
Open up Wing 101, and you should get the "License Agreement" window (first time only). Press "Accept" to enable access to the IDE.

Wing License
8 You will now be guided through the process of configuring Python 3.12.9 on Wing 101. It is possible that Python has already been linked to Wing 101. To check, see what is the message on the bottom right-hand box. If it has a message like the one below, Python is already configured. You can skip ahead to step 11 to test your configuration.

Wing Python Shell
9 If you have a different message, Python 3.12.9 is not configured properly. To configure Python 3.12.9, go to Edit -> Configure Python. It will open up a window like this:

Wing Config
10 Select the Command Line option and then press on Browse...
It will open up a window with your files. If you followed the automatic procedure of the Python installation, try typing

C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python312

before you press Browse... and you should have a file called python then double-click it. After config the Python path click Apply -> OK. It may require you to restart the IDE.


Wing Config Command Line
Wing Config Browse
Wing Config Browse
If not, navigate to the location where you installed Python and open it.
11 When you have found Python, press Ok in the Python Configuration box. You should get a pop-up asking if Wing can restart your Python shell. Press OK.
To double-check your Python set-up, open a new file and type print("Hello World") in the top window. Then, save your file somewhere on your computer! Then press on the green arrow button in the tool bar at the top to run the program. If you don't save your file, the green arrow button will be gray and you will not be able to press it!!!

Wing Program
12 Once you've pressed Run, the bottom right-hand window should have Hello World in it.

Python Shell Output

If you have any questions or if your installation doesn't work correctly, please go to ISA office hours or email us at cs231@uwaterloo.ca.