source: trunk/essentials/dev-lang/python/Doc/python-docs.txt@ 3368

Last change on this file since 3368 was 3225, checked in by bird, 19 years ago

Python 2.5
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1This message is being sent in response to your message to the Python
2documentation maintainers ([email protected]). Your message will
3be handled by a human, but this message serves to answer the most
4common questions sent to this address.
5
6You will only receive this message if it has not been sent to you for
7at least three months.
8
9If your question is answered below, you may not receive an additional
10message from the documentation maintainers. If you feel the answers
11below are not sufficient and you do not receive an additional response
12within a week, please do send a note letting us know that your
13question has not been properly answered, and be specific regarding
14what additional information you are looking for.
15
16
17 -Fred
18
19
20Frequently Asked Questions about the Python Documentation
21---------------------------------------------------------
22
23 1. Can I download HTML/PDF/PostScript versions of the docs?
24 2. Where can I download Python?
25 3. I can't unpack a downloaded copy on Windows; what should I do?
26 4. I can't unpack a downloaded copy on Mac OS; what should I do?
27 5. What can I use Python for?
28 6. How do I use module/function/whatever XXX?
29 7. What about JPython?
30 8. I found a bug in the documentation, who should I tell?
31 9. Can I get an algorithm to do THIS in language THAT?
32 10. How do I decode an XXX file from my email on a YYY computer?
33 11. Acrobat Reader won't print the PDF. What's wrong?
34 12. Where can I find documentation in my native language?
35 13. Why is Python installed on my computer?
36
37
38Answers to the Questions
39------------------------
40
41 1. Can I download HTML/PDF/PostScript/<other> versions of the docs?
42
43 Yes. These are available via the Web and traditional FTP. For
44 Web access to the latest version, see:
45
46 http://www.python.org/doc/
47
48 For FTP access to the latest version and archives of previous
49 versions, see:
50
51 ftp.python.org:/pub/python/doc/
52
53 2. Where can I download Python?
54
55 You can get Python in source form and as a Windows installer
56 from the main Python website. You can also find information
57 about pre-built packages for other platforms there as well.
58
59 Downloading information at the website is at the URL:
60
61 http://www.python.org/download/
62
63 The sources and Windows installer can be downloaded from the FTP
64 site as well:
65
66 ftp://ftp.python.org/pub/python/
67
68 3. I can't unpack a downloaded archive on Windows; what should I do?
69
70 Make sure the archive was saved with the .tgz extension; you may
71 need to watch carefully when telling the browser where to save
72 the file, as the default may change the extension to .tar or
73 even .exe.
74
75 Once you're sure the file has the right extension, use a recent
76 version of WinZip to upack the file (version 7.0 works). Get
77 WinZip from:
78
79 http://www.winzip.com/
80
81 4. I can't unpack a downloaded archive on Mac OS; what should I do?
82
83 Stuffit Expander 4.5 (and probably other versions) cannot handle
84 the "tar" archive, although it can decompress it from the .tgz
85 file. Expander Enhancer, which you have to pay for, can handle
86 the tar archive.
87
88 5. What can I use Python for?
89
90 Python is a general purpose programming language. See the
91 Python home page at http://www.python.org/ for more information;
92 introductory material is available at:
93
94 http://www.python.org/doc/Intros.html
95
96 6. How do I use module/function/whatever XXX?
97
98 Start by reading the documentation for XXX. If the
99 documentation doesn't make sense or seems incomplete, please
100 file a specific bug report to [email protected] (the
101 address you sent your question to). Otherwise, you probably
102 sent your question to the wrong place (which does not preclude
103 an answer, if I know it).
104
105 If you're looking for examples or tutorial information on how to
106 use a particular Python library component, check the Demo/
107 directory of the source distribution or Windows installation;
108 there might be an example. If that doesn't help, point your Web
109 browser to http://www.python.org/doc/ and look around; there may
110 be a link to some interesting examples online. After that, try
111 searching the Python Web site at http://www.python.org/search/.
112
113 If your question still hasn't been answered, you may send your
114 query to the Python newsgroup (comp.lang.python) or the mailing
115 list (see http://www.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list).
116 If you'd rather not send you message to a public forum, you can
117 try sending it to [email protected]. (This is typically
118 slower than sending your question to the public list, however.)
119
120 7. What about Jython and JPython?
121
122 If your question is specific to Jython or JPython, you should
123 consult the Jython website at:
124
125 http://www.jython.org/
126
127 Chances are very good that the person who answers questions
128 posted to [email protected] doesn't use Jython very often,
129 and won't be able to give you a meaningful answer beyond "Look
130 at the Jython website." Sorry, I don't have *all* the answers!
131
132 8. I found a bug in the documentation, who should I tell?
133
134 If you're reading this, you've found the right address! Send
135 all documentation bug reports to [email protected]. If
136 you prefer to use a Web-based reporting mechanism, you can use
137 the bug database at http://www.python.org/python-bugs/.
138
139 9. Can I get an algorithm to do THIS in language THAT?
140
141 If THAT is Python, look in the standard library. If THAT isn't
142 Python, use your favorite Internet search engine.
143
144 10. How do I decode an XXX file from my email on a YYY computer?
145
146 I really, honestly do not know. I don't even know why this
147 question gets asked here. Since I don't have a YYY computer,
148 I couldn't even try a few things out for you.
149
150 11. Acrobat Reader won't print the PDF. What's wrong?
151
152 Adobe has reportedly admitted that there is a bug in Acrobat Reader
153 5.0 which causes it not to print at least some PDF files
154 generated by pdfTeX. This software is used to produce the PDF
155 version of the Python documentation, and our documents
156 definately trigger this bug in Acrobat Reader. To print the PDF
157 files, use Acrobat Reader 4.x, ghostscript, or xpdf.
158
159 Information on ghostscript can be found at:
160
161 http://www.ghostscript.com/
162
163 Information on xpdf can be found at:
164
165 http://www.foolabs.com/xpdf/
166
167 12. Where can I find documentation in my native language?
168
169 There is a lot of contributed documentation in languages other
170 than English. Some of the documents are translations of English
171 documents, and others were originally authored in other
172 languages. If we know about it, it will be listed at:
173
174 http://www.python.org/doc/NonEnglish.html
175
176 13. Why is Python installed on my computer?
177
178 We're increasingly seeing Python being installed on computers
179 as delivered by vendors. For more information on why, and
180 whether it's safe to remove, see the "Why is Python Installed on
181 my Computer?" FAQ, found at:
182
183 http://www.python.org/doc/faq/installed/
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