[Pythonmac-SIG] Teething troubles - Getting up an running on a mac

[Thomas Philips]

I've got a new iMac, have installed Python 2.5.2 on it, and am now trying to
run my existing Python programs on it (these are typically number crunching
programs that I run from IDLE). Some things work, while others don't, and as
this is my first time grappling with Unix and MacOS X, I appreciate some
guidance on how to get up and running. Here are details of my setup
interspersed with my woes and my questions. Your assistance is greatly
appreciated.
Item 1. I downloaded and installed 2.5.2 from python.org. Runs fine, it
installed a MacPython directory under applications, which has a few icons,
including IDLE. However, I have absolutely NO idea where all the Python
files are kept.

Question 1: How can I locate the Python installation? There a few files
under Applications > MacPython 2.5, but this is clearly not the entire
installation.

Question 2: In Finder, If I click on Search For > Past week, I can see a
sequence of folders under the horizontal scroll bar at the bottom of the
window, allowing me to determine that some files that were placed under
Applications > MacPython 2.5> Extra> Demo. But I do not seem to be able to
see the sequence of folders under the horizontal scroll bar in any finder
window. What do I need to do to make the folder sequence visible in all
Finder Windows?


Item 2. I downloaded and installed the SciPy superpack from
Macinscience,org. Scipy seems to import correctly into the Python 2.5.1 that
comes with the Mac, but i cannot import it into MacPython 2.5.2.

Question 3. What do I have to do in order to make SciPy work with both
Python 2.5.1 (that comes with the Mac) and 2.5.2 (that I installed myself)?


Item 3. I accidentally clicked on something (not sure what) and suddenly
found the path to the numpy folder was Macintosh HD > Developer > SDKs >
MacOSX10.5.sdk>System>
Library>Frameworks>Python.framework>Versions>2.5>extras>lib>Python>numpy.
This is insane!!! Where would the superpack have installed SciPy, and how
can I find it?

Question 4. How do I get MacPython 2.5.2 to see SciPy, NumPy etc.
Question 5. How can I find the current value of the PYTHONPATH environment
variable, and how can I edit it and add a directory in which I keep my
Python programs.
Question 6. Apparently there's a Property List Editor that must be used to
create a file called ~ /.MacOSX/environment.plist. I can't find a directory
called ~/.MacOSX. Is this a hidden directory?


Item 4. I opened a terminal window, and typed ipython. Here's what I got:

Welcome to IPython. I will try to create a personal configuration directory
where you can customize many aspects of IPython's functionality in:

/Users/tom/.ipython
WARNING:
Installation error. IPython's directory was not found.

Check the following:

The ipython/IPython directory should be in a directory belonging to your
PYTHONPATH environment variable (that is, it should be in a directory
belonging to sys.path). You can copy it explicitly there or just link to it.

IPython will create a minimal default configuration for you.
Ipython actually runs once I hit enter, but I do not seem to be able to
import and run my programs.

Question 7. What is this cryptic message all about? I'm completely confused.


I never thought I'd say this, but it actually seemed a lot easier to get
Python and any associated programs up and running on Windows! I suspect that
a large fraction of my troubles are due to the fact that I am brand new to
the Mac and to Unix, but I bought the Mac in part because I thought that
using it was effortless.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Sincerely

Thomas Philips
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