[Tutor] Optimally configuring Emacs for W7-64bit and Python

[Alan Gauld]

On 22/05/12 04:26, boB Stepp wrote:

> 2001, is available on the Sun Blade at work, I already own the book
> "Learning GNU Emacs" and it would be nice to have my fingers trained
> the same way for both work and home study.

That's a fair reason and emacs will work for any of your languages and 
incorporates many of the features of an IDE albeit a text based one...

> What is the best way for me to get my W7-64bit laptop configured for
> Python programming?

Install python mode.
Learn how to get the python shell running inside emacs.
Learn how to get a cmd shell running inside emacs
Learn how to do split windows

After that emacs is a giant application with everything customisable
by the user so its down to your preferences. Colour schemes, key 
combinations, how much automation (keyword completion etc) is all
under your control.

One extra that I would strongly encourage for working with Python on 
windows is to supplement the emacs debugger mode with winpdb. It can be 
had for Linux too, I don't know about Solaris. But I think your Solaris 
is non GUI based anyway as I recall? So that won't matter.

hth
-- 
Alan G
Author of the Learn to Program web site
http://www.alan-g.me.uk/