Installing the 6.01 software on Windows

Important: First, check to see whether Python is already installed on your machine. (This will probably be the case, for example, if you have a Thinkpad running Windows.) If Python is already installed, then do not follow these instructions. Instead, see the course staff, so we can help you install things without messing up your current system. If Python isn't installed on your machine, then follow the instructions on this page.

A. Download the software

• Python 2.5.1
• numpy 1.0.3.1 for Python 2.5
• pywin32 for Python 2.5
• Two soar-related installers: form and soar. See Step E. below for installation instructions.

B. Install the Python language

Double click on the Python installer (python-2.5.1.msi) to begin the Python installation process.
1. In reply to the options: install the software for all users, use the default directory (C:\Python25\) and in general just click "next" to accept the defaults.

2. Wait for the installation to finish and click "finish". Note that installing Python will also automatically install IDLE.

C. Check that Python works

1. Find Python 2.5 in your menu of programs and run "IDLE". This should produce a window that says "Python 2.5.1 ..." and ends with a prompt (>>>)

2. At the prompt, type
   >>> 2**10
   and press Enter. The result should be 2¹⁰, or 1024. Try computing 2¹⁰⁰⁰ and verify that this works as well.

3. If this works, you've (probably) successfully installed Python. Exit IDLE by selecting exit from the file menu. Ask for help if something has gone wrong.

D. Install additional python packages

Double-click on the numpy installer on your desktop (numpy-1.0.3.1.win32-py2.5.exe). Accept the defaults (i.e., just click "next"), wait for the installation to complete, and click "finish".

Double-click on the pywin32 installer on your desktop (pywin32-210.win32-py2.5.exe). Accept the defaults (i.e., just click "next"), wait for the installation to complete, and click "finish".

E. Install the SoaR software

The links to download SoaR installers are at the top of this page

Under Vista, right-click on the installers and choose "Run as Administrator" instead of double clicking.

Double-click on the form installer on your desktop (form-latest.win32.exe). Accept the defaults (i.e., just click "next"), wait for the installation to complete, and click "finish".

Do the same process for the soar installer (soar-latest.win32.exe).

F. Try it!

To start SoaR, simply run SoaR from Start->Programs. If you have trouble, email 6.01-help@mit.edu.

You can now remove the other three files that you downloaded to your desktop.

If you just want to write Python scripts, without needing to use SoaR, you can open up IDLE directly. Go to Start | All Programs | Python 2.5 | IDLE (Python GUI). This will bring up the IDLE editor that you use during lab.

E. If you want to use Emacs