if the binary code for your platform is not availableyou need compiler to compile the source code manually compiling the source code offersmore flexibility in terms of choice of features that you require in your installation here is quick overview of installing python on various platforms unix and linux installation here are the simple steps to install python on unix/linux machine open web browser and go to follow the link to download zipped source code available for unix/linux download and extract files editing the modules/setup fileif you want to customise some options run /configure script make make install this installs python at standard location /usr/local/bin and at /usr/local/lib/pythonxx wherexx is the version of python its libraries windows installation hereare the steps to install python on windows machine open web browser and go to follow the link for the windows installer python-xyz msi file wherexyz is the version you need to install to use this installer python-xyz msithe windows system must support microsoft installer save the installer file to your local machine and thenrun it to find out if your machine supports msi run the downloaded file this brings up the python install wizardwhich is really easy to use just accept the default settingswait until the install is finishedand you are done macintosh installation recent macs come with python installedbut it may be several years out of date see version along with extra tools to support development on the mac for older mac os' before mac os (released in )macpython is available jack jansen maintains it and you can have full access to the entire documentation at his websitewhich is available at can find complete installation details for mac os installation