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<h2>Using Python in Lab</h2>

The suggested IDE (Integrated Development Environment) for using Python
in ITC labs is called IDLE, and it is actually written in Python. (The
name is supposedly an acronym for Integrated DeveLopment Environment,
but is more likely a reference to <a
href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Idle">Eric Idle</a>.
<p>
To run IDLE in the labs, go to <tt>Start->Run...</tt> and type in (or browse to):<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<tt>C:\Python21\Tools\idle\idle.pyw</tt>
<p>
This will open a window named <tt>*Python Shell*</tt>. Inside this window you can
see the Python prompt. Here, you can type interactive Python code and
have it execute immediately. Go ahead and try it. Type <tt>4+4</tt> and hit
enter. You should see:
<pre>
>>> 4+4
8
</pre>

You can type in arbitrary Python code at this command line. Try the
below:
<pre>
>>> for i in range(1,4): print i
1
2
3
</pre>
Note that the keywords are highlighted as you type, and when you type
"range(" simple usage information about the range function
appears. However, you shouldn't do the problem set typing code in at the
command line &mdash; you might have already realized this if you made any 
mistakes typing any of the above. Instead, you should use IDLE's 
built-in text editor, which also does syntax highlighting and
function definitions. 
<p>
To do this, in IDLE, click on <tt>File->New Window</tt>. In this window, enter:
<pre>
for i in "alphabet":
    print i
</pre>
Now, save this script (click <tt>File->Save as...</tt>) and name it whatever
you want. Now, click on <tt>Edit->Run Script</tt>. The output of this script will
appear in the <tt>*Python Shell*</tt> window. 
<p>
To start working on PS1, go to <a
href="http://www.cs.virginia.edu/cs216/ps/ps1/">PS1</a> and click the <a
href="http://www.cs.virginia.edu/cs216/ps/ps1/ps1.zip">ps1.zip</a>
download link.  Unzip it into <tt>J:\cs216\ps1</tt> (or any directory
you have access to). 

<p>
Now, in IDLE, click <tt>File->Open...</tt> and navigate to
your newly unzipped <tt>TimerExample.py</tt>.  Uncomment the lines at the
top of this file and change the path to match your working path (if
necessary): 
<blockquote><pre>
import sys
sys.path.append('J:\\cs216\\ps1')
</pre></blockquote>

Now, in the window where you typed the script, click on <tt>Edit->Run&nbsp;Script</tt>. 
<p>
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