Installation of Python, Pycharm, Selenium and Web Drivers
Tags: selenium, weddrivers, python, pycharm
Published: 2024-07-12 06:59:19


## Installation Guide: Python, PyCharm, Selenium and Web Drivers

This guide is intended to simplify the installation process for Python, PyCharm, and Selenium. I've created this draft to help ease the difficulty many people face when searching for comprehensive installation instructions. Whether for practice or work, following these steps will ensure a smooth setup experience.

## Step 1: Install Python

### Windows

1. **Download Python:**
   - Go to the [official Python website](https://www.python.org/downloads/).
   - Download the latest version of Python.

2. **Run the Installer:**
   - Run the downloaded installer.
   - Check the box "Add Python to PATH".
   - Click "Install Now".
   - Click on "Disable MAX PATH LIMIT(255)".

### macOS

1. **Download Python:**
   - Go to the [official Python website](https://www.python.org/downloads/).
   - Download the latest version of Python.

2. **Run the Installer:**
   - Open the downloaded `.pkg` file.
   - Follow the installation instructions.
Sure! Here are the installation instructions for Python on macOS:

## Installation Instructions for Python on macOS

### Step 1: Download Python

1. **Go to the Official Python Website:**
   - Open your web browser and navigate to the [official Python website](https://www.python.org/downloads/).

2. **Download the Latest Version:**
   - The website should automatically detect your operating system and suggest the latest version for macOS.
   - Click the "Download Python [version]" button to download the installer.

### Step 2: Install Python

1. **Run the Installer:**
   - Once the download is complete, locate the downloaded file, typically in your `Downloads` folder.
   - Double-click the `.pkg` file to open the Python installer.

2. **Follow the Installation Steps:**
   - The installer will open a new window. Click "Continue" to begin the installation process.
   - Review and agree to the license agreement.
   - Choose the installation location. The default location is usually fine.
   - Click "Install" to start the installation.
   - You may be prompted to enter your macOS password to authorize the installation. Enter your password and click "Install Software".

3. **Complete the Installation:**
   - Once the installation is complete, click "Close" to exit the installer.

### Step 3: Verify the Installation

1. **Open Terminal:**
   - You can find Terminal in `Applications` > `Utilities` or by using Spotlight Search (`Cmd + Space` and type "Terminal").

2. **Check Python Version:**
   - In Terminal, type the following command and press `Enter`:
     ```bash
     python3 --version
     ```
   - You should see the version of Python you installed. For example:
     ```
     Python 3.x.x
     ```

3. **Check pip Version:**
   - In Terminal, type the following command and press `Enter`:
     ```bash
     pip3 --version
     ```
   - You should see the version of `pip` installed with Python. For example:
     ```
     pip 21.x.x from /Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/3.x/lib/python3.x/site-packages/pip (python 3.x)
     ```

### Step 4: Set Up Environment Variables (Optional)

1. **Add Python to PATH:**
   - Open Terminal and enter the following command to open the `.bash_profile` or `.zshrc` file in a text editor:
     ```bash
     nano ~/.zshrc
     ```
     or
     ```bash
     nano ~/.bash_profile
     ```

2. **Edit the File:**
   - Add the following line to the file:
     ```bash
     export PATH="/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/3.x/bin:$PATH"
     ```
   - Save the file by pressing `Ctrl + O`, then press `Enter`. Exit by pressing `Ctrl + X`.

3. **Apply Changes:**
   - In Terminal, run the following command to apply the changes:
     ```bash
     source ~/.zshrc
     ```
     or
     ```bash
     source ~/.bash_profile
     ```

### Step 5: Install Virtualenv (Optional)

1. **Install virtualenv:**
   - To create isolated Python environments, you can use `virtualenv`. Install it using `pip`:
     ```bash
     pip3 install virtualenv
     ```

2. **Create a Virtual Environment:**
   - Navigate to your project directory:
     ```bash
     cd path/to/your/project
     ```
   - Create a virtual environment:
     ```bash
     virtualenv venv
     ```

3. **Activate the Virtual Environment:**
   - Activate the virtual environment:
     ```bash
     source venv/bin/activate
     ```
   - You will see `(venv)` in your terminal prompt, indicating the virtual environment is active.

4. **Deactivate the Virtual Environment:**
   - To deactivate the virtual environment, simply run:
     ```bash
     deactivate
     ```

You have now installed Python on your macOS system, set up your environment variables, and optionally installed `virtualenv` for managing your projects.

### Linux

1. **Using APT (Debian/Ubuntu):**
   ```bash
   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install python3 python3-pip
   ```

2. **Using DNF (Fedora):**
   ```bash
   sudo dnf install python3 python3-pip
   ```

## Step 2: Install PyCharm

1. **Download PyCharm:**
   - Go to the [JetBrains PyCharm website](https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/download/).
   - Download the Community Edition (free) or Professional Edition (paid).
   - Always remember to Check the System version and download compatible version else, you will able to install but not able open the pycharm software

2. **Run the Installer:**
   - Follow the installation instructions provided by JetBrains.
   - Certainly! Here are the installation instructions for PyCharm as provided by JetBrains:

## Installation Instructions for PyCharm

### Windows

1. **Download PyCharm:**
   - Go to the [JetBrains PyCharm download page](https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/download/).
   - Download the Community Edition (free) or Professional Edition (paid).

2. **Run the Installer:**
   - Double-click the downloaded `.exe` file to launch the installer.
   - Follow the setup wizard:
     - Click "Next" to continue.
     - Choose the installation location and click "Next".
     - Select the desired installation options:
       - Create a desktop shortcut.
       - Add the “bin” folder to the PATH (recommended).
       - Associate `.py` files with PyCharm.
       - Add an open folder as a project option.
     - Click "Install".
   - Once the installation is complete, click "Finish".

3. **Launch PyCharm:**
   - After the installation, you can start PyCharm by double-clicking the PyCharm shortcut on your desktop or by searching for PyCharm in the Start menu.

### macOS

1. **Download PyCharm:**
   - Go to the [JetBrains PyCharm download page](https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/download/).
   - Download the Community Edition (free) or Professional Edition (paid).

2. **Install PyCharm:**
   - Open the downloaded `.dmg` file.
   - Drag and drop the PyCharm application into the Applications folder.

3. **Launch PyCharm:**
   - Open Finder and go to the Applications folder.
   - Find PyCharm and double-click to open it.
   - If you see a warning about opening an application downloaded from the internet, click "Open".

### Linux

1. **Download PyCharm:**
   - Go to the [JetBrains PyCharm download page](https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/download/).
   - Download the tar.gz package for the Community Edition (free) or Professional Edition (paid).

2. **Install PyCharm:**
   - Open your terminal.
   - Navigate to the directory where the tar.gz file was downloaded.
   - Extract the tar.gz file:
     ```bash
     tar -xzf pycharm-*.tar.gz
     ```
   - Move to the extracted directory:
     ```bash
     cd pycharm-*/
     ```
   - Run PyCharm:
     ```bash
     ./bin/pycharm.sh
     ```

3. **Create a Desktop Entry (optional):**
   - While running PyCharm, go to the main menu and select "Tools" > "Create Desktop Entry".

### First-time Startup

1. **Activate PyCharm:**
   - On the first startup, you will be prompted to activate PyCharm.
   - For the Community Edition, select "Evaluate for free" and click "Evaluate".
   - For the Professional Edition, enter your JetBrains account credentials or use a license key.

2. **Customize PyCharm:**
   - Choose your UI theme (Light or Dark).
   - Configure additional settings as needed.

3. **Create or Open a Project:**
   - You can now create a new project, open an existing project, or check out a project from version control.

---

For more detailed instructions and troubleshooting, refer to the official [PyCharm installation guide](https://www.jetbrains.com/help/pycharm/installation-guide.html).

## Step 3: Install Selenium

1. **Using pip:**
   - Open your command line or terminal, Run as Administrator
   - Install Selenium using the following command:
     ```bash
     pip install selenium
     ```

## Step 4: Verify Installation

**Check Python Installation:**
   ```bash
   python --version
   ```

**Check pip Installation:**
   ```bash
   pip --version
   ```

**Update pip Installation:**
 ```bash 
python -m pip install --upgrade pip
```

4. **Verify if Selenium Installed Properly or Not:**
```bash
pip show selenium
```
**You should get the selenium details**

**Web Drivers:**
For the latest Selenium Version: 4.22.0, Web Drivers have been pre installed
You can verify in path:
```bash
C:\Users\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python311\Lib\site-packages\selenium\webdriver
```
you will see the wedrivers for IE, Chrome, Edge, FireFox, Remote, Safari, Chromium.

**Verify Selenium Installation:**
   - Open a Python interactive shell by typing `python` in your command line or terminal.
   - Run the following commands:
     ```python
     import selenium
     print(selenium.__version__)
     ```

## Example: Basic Selenium Script

Here's a simple script to verify your Selenium setup. This script opens a web browser and navigates to a website.

1. **Install WebDriver:**
   - Download the appropriate WebDriver for your browser (e.g., ChromeDriver for Chrome) from [Selenium’s official site](https://www.selenium.dev/downloads/).
   - Make sure to place the WebDriver executable in a directory that is in your PATH.

2. **Create a Python Script:**
   ```python
   from selenium import webdriver

   # Initialize the WebDriver (assuming ChromeDriver is in your PATH)
   driver = webdriver.Chrome()

   # Open a website
   driver.get("https://www.python.org")

   # Print the title of the page
   print(driver.title)

   # Close the browser
   driver.quit()
   ```

3. **Run the Script:**
   - Save the script as `test_selenium.py`.
   - Run the script in your command line or terminal:
     ```bash
     python test_selenium.py
     ```

If everything is set up correctly, you should see the browser open, navigate to the Python website, and print the page title in the console. 

###**Additional Selenium Web Drivers Configuration:**

If you are using earlier versions or not able to see webdriver, you can download them or For more details you can see visit:
https://pypi.org/project/selenium/

After downloading the files, extract the files and copy the drivers.exe and place in the path or accordingly to your system files path
```
C:\Users\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python311\
```
This is a pre installed path for python that is available in the environment variables, which you pretty much can use without errors

or You can create a folder in "C drive" and add that file path in environment variables.

**Driver "PATH" Configuration:**
Here are the instructions on how to add the path `C:\Users\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python311\` or any "PATH" to the environment variables in Windows:

## Adding Python Path to Environment Variables in Windows

### Step 1: Open Environment Variables Settings

1. **Open System Properties:**
   - Press ``Win + Pause/Break`` to open the System window.
   - Alternatively, you can right-click on the ``This PC`` or ``Computer`` icon on your desktop or in File Explorer and select ``Properties``.

2. **Open Advanced System Settings:**
   - In the System window, click on ``Advanced system settings`` on the left-hand side.

3. **Open Environment Variables:**
   - In the System Properties window, click on the ``Environment Variables...`` button near the bottom.

### Step 2: Edit the PATH Variable

1. **Locate the PATH Variable:**
   - In the Environment Variables window, you will see two sections: ``User variables`` and ``System variables``.
   - Scroll down in the ``System variables`` section and find the variable named ``Path``. Select it and click on the ``Edit...`` button.

2. **Add New Path:**
   - In the Edit Environment Variable window, you will see a list of paths. Click on the ``New`` button to add a new path.
   - Enter the path ``C:\Users\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python311\`` in the new entry.

3. **Save Changes:**
   - After adding the path, click ``OK`` to close the Edit Environment Variable window.
   - Click ``OK`` again to close the Environment Variables window.
   - Finally, click ``OK`` to close the System Properties window.

### Step 3: Verify the Path Addition

1. **Open Command Prompt:**
   - Press ``Win + R``, type ``cmd``, and press ``Enter`` to open the Command Prompt.

2. **Check Python Version:**
   - Type the following command and press ``Enter``:
     ```cmd
     python --version
     ```
   - You should see the version of Python installed in ```
C:\Users\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python311\
```

If everything is set up correctly, the command prompt should display the Python version, confirming that the path has been successfully added to the environment variables.

These steps ensure that Python can be accessed from any command prompt window without needing to specify the full path to the executable each time.




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