Updates & Examples of Python coming soon

Hi all,

I haven't been able to update this blog all that often but I will do so very soon.

Just a few quick updates:

1. Along with this blog, do visit my website too, it has a comprehensive list and details of many projects I have been working on - including the Unicode to Preeti converter. The address of my website is http://www.vibhumishra.com

2. I will be putting a number of great example code for those of you starting to learn Python as well as some higher end examples for the more experienced programmers, do check back in soon.

All for now - Please send in your comments - I would love to hear from you!

C / C++ Compilers for Mac OS X

A new post after a long time...

Getting straight to the point, there are loads of C/C++ compilers around.

I used to use one back in the old days of System 9.1... I am forgetting what it was called but it was a pretty good one, a few functions were quirky and sometimes the debug mode didn't work all that well.

Now we have MacOS X, and there are also quite a few compilers around. I will soon put a list of them as well as installing them on the Mac...

Till next time...

Installing Python on Mac OS X (10.3, 10.4 or 10.5) from scratch

Installing Python on a Macintosh running Mac OS X 10.3 "Panther", 10.4 "Tiger" or 10.5 "Leopard" is quite simple and straight forward, the steps are very similar to the ones for

1. Download the installer from http://pythonmac.org/packages/py25-fat/dmg/python-2.5-macosx.dmg (approximately 18MB)
2. Mount the disk image.
   
3. Backup your .bash_profile before you install.
4. Double click MacPython.mpkg to start the install process. This would install the Python Frameworks along with the extras including IDLE. They would be installed in the Applications/MacPython 2.5 folder.

Once installed, you may try the installation with the simple "hello world" trial.

1. Open TextEdit or your favourite text editor, in a blank text only file, type
   print "hello world"
2. Save the file with the extension .py and close the text editor.
   
3. Open this file with IDLE and from the Run menu, select Run Module.
4. You should see hello world in the Python Shell.

All done, Python is now installed! Have fun!

If you have any questions or problems, just post back!

Installing Python on Mac OS X (Leopard)

Mac OS X 10.5.x (Leopard) comes with Python 2.5.1 pre-installed. However this installation is without the IDLE.app, the need for IDLE.app comes in if you are interested in a light-weight Python development (Leopard's Xcode 3.0 allows working with Python though...)

To install IDLE.app and other Python 2.5 extras,

1. Download the installer from http://pythonmac.org/packages/py25-fat/dmg/python-2.5-macosx.dmg (approximately 18MB)
2. Mount the disk image.
3. Do a "Show Package Contents" on the MacPython.mpkg (context-click / control-click the package)
4. Backup your .bash_profile before you install.
5. Navigate to Contents > Packages > PythonApplications-2.5.pkg, double click to install. This would install the extras including IDLE.app. They would be installed in the Applications/MacPython 2.5 folder.
6. Using Terminal, create a symbolic link for the system's Python.framework in the location expected by the pythonmac.org tools:
   cd /Library/Frameworks
   sudo ln -s /System/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/ Python.framework

It is recommended that you delete the newly installed Python Launcher.app, because it is already present inside the system Python.framework.
If you have installed Apple's developer tools (Xcode et al), it is recommended that you delete the newly installed Build Applet.app, because it is already present in /Developer/Applications/Utilities/MacPython 2.5.


For more information:
• http://wiki.python.org/moin/MacPython/Leopard
• http://python.org/download/mac/

Unicode to Preeti Converter...

Over the past few months, I have been working on a robust Unicode to Preeti and Preeti to Unicode Conversion Software, the "Unicode to Preeti Converter Project", there are three versions of the software - (a) Web Based, (b) Windows Based and (c) Macintosh Based. Currently, the supported fonts include Preeti and Kantipur. Support for the fonts will be added in due course of time.

The prototype for the Macintosh (OS X) and the Web-based versions are ready and currently in the Beta Testing phase. Once the Macintosh version has finished this phase, work would commence on the Windows version.

This software can be used to convert text in legacy fonts like Preeti, Kantipur or other Nepali or Hindi (Devanagari Script) Fonts into UTF-8 encoded (unicode) text.

For more details and updates or to know more about other projects visit my website, www.vibhumishra.com.

You might want to look at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UTF-8

http://www.vibhumishra.com/?unicode-preeti