[Tutor] Re: Thanks for your help :-)

[Kirby Urner]

>
>1) Since I would like to do development for the Windows environment, would 
>you recommend something other than Tkinter? And, how can I find out about 
>the other libraries(?).?


wxPython is worth a look.  http://wxpython.org/  It's not just for
Windows.

>I think I heard something about PMW(I think Python Mega Widgets), but 
>there are very few tutorials about any of the other 
>tools/libraries/languages. Considering the fact that I am a newbie, I 
>would like to select a tool set that would allow me the most 
>flexibility(including cross platform).

PMW is based on Tk/Tkinter, but does a lot of the work to expand
the widgets set.  If you decide to go with Tk, PMW is definitely
worth adding to your toolkit.

http://pmw.sourceforge.net/doc/starting.html

>2) Based on the solution the two of you provided, it appears that PYTHON 
>pys run in MSDOS mode.
>What about Windows XP?

The easiest way to *start* learning Python, in my opinion, is
to go with the "batteries included" GUI, called IDLE.  It's a
Tk app, and paradoxically that makes it unsuitable for Tk work.

Or, if in Windows, use the ActivePython installation, which is
quite good as well, better in some ways.

I've heard nothing to suggest that either of these has any
problems on XP, but I'm not the one to ask.

In general, when learning Python at first, I suggest not
spending a whole lot of time in a DOS box.  The reason to go
there is if you're trying to run a Tk/PMW app.  But as I was
saying, I think that should be for later (unless, that is,
you're already a quite experienced programmer in some other
language and are ready to dive into GUI-style, events-based
OO right out of the gate).

>3) My intent is to try to develop apps that will be cross 
>platform(although my first target would be the Windows environment). This 
>batch file solution that you provided, seems to be a Windows thing, not a 
>Linux/Unix thing. Will this hinder my ability to produce cross platform 
>applications?
>I know this question is very advanced but I would like to get it right, up 
>front.

Linux is similar, except you can use ! "bang" notation at the top
of a program to tell the OS what interpreter to use.  Then you
can make the programs executables directly, so a single command
(the name of the program), with optional arguments, will work.

>4) Also, I would like to distribute my apps standalone.

You'll have to bundle your app with the Python interpreter if
you can't assume the target machines have Python installed.

>5) I also have some question related to how to approach a PYTHON 
>project(taking into consideration OO). I would like to produce re-usable 
>code, instead of one time only code.

As a learner, you should accept the idea of writing lots of
throwaway code, useful for the learning process, but not
necessarily worth keeping as is.

>Sorry for all the questions. I wasn't sure if I should send these to the 
>"tutor" e-mail address or to you specifically. How do most people ask 
>their questions? Do they pose and respond to them via "tutor" or directly 
>to the person that responded? Which is the best way to handle this? Please 
>advise.

Whatever works for you.

Kirby