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by bshipp 2566 days ago
Installing the version you need when you want to run a script is arguably easier for newbies than all the error messages arising from an out of date implementation originally included with an OS.

it's not like installing python is any more complicated than any other piece of software that needs to be installed. Windows users have had no choice but to do that for decades.
1 comments
SeanLuke 2566 days ago
> Windows users have had no choice but to do that for decades.

You're saying this like it's a good thing.

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bshipp 2565 days ago
It's not a good thing or a bad thing. I'm saying it's not a thing at all.

If someone decides they want to run a custom ruby or python script the least difficult aspect of that decision is installing the interpreter. For example, I was dealing with someone yesterday who decided they wanted to learn how to write apps for Android. Without even seeing a single line of code (or even knowing which language they would have to learn!!) they had already successfully installed Android Studio and Jetbrains IDEA.

Without coming across as some gatekeeping greybeard, I think anyone who has even a glancing interest in programming would agree if you can't follow a one-line/click installation instruction you may want to find a simpler tool for the task than writing your own code from scratch.

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Godel_unicode 2565 days ago
Lots of people on just this thread, who have far more than a glancing interest, have expressed their disagreement with this exact idea.

The hardest part for lots of people in learning to program is getting over the idea that programming is for Special People, or possibly Wizards, who know lots of incantations which are beyond mere mortals. Please stop trying to convince them they're right.

Source: I've taught lots of marketing people, admins, call center techs, etc to program in PowerShell or system Python.

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arvinsim 2563 days ago
On the contrary, not teaching people how to install the interpreter just perpetuates the idea that it is beyond the ken of mere mortals. And that only "Wizards" should do it.

Installing the interpreter is nothing special. It should be taught as such.

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