RISC OS Developments is pleased to announce that Chris Johns (and team)
has successfully put RISC OS back on the Python map with the release of
Python 3.8 for RISC OS, and our favourite OS now re-appearing on the
"Other platforms" section of the Python website.

You can download Python 3.8 now via !PackMan which should be in your Apps folder on your main drive.


Why is Python 3.8 significant?
==============================

Many RISC OS users will be familiar with BBC BASIC, and the role it fills
as a straightforward programming language that RISC OS users can use to
create all manner of programs, from simple experiments to grand
applications.

On other platforms, Python has grown to fulfil that same role - it is now ubiquitous - the default language to learn and use for all manner of
coding projects. Whether it is a child taking their first steps in
coding, or an experienced user creating home automation projects, the
chances are it'll involve Python.

Historically, RISC OS supported Python 2 up to the 2.7.2 release, but
dropped off the radar when it came to the (radically different) Python 3.

Since Python 3 is so different, most new coding projects will likely focus
on Python 3, so RISC OS needs to offer the same level of functionality.
It now does, and thanks to it appearing on the Python website, RISC OS
once again can be seen to exist by the rest of the world.


Is programming relevant?
========================

For a long time, it could be argued that the release of a programming
language probably didn't mean much to most users. However, the release of

the Raspberry Pi, and the Foundations work to make coding relevant again through the various Pi magazines and programming courses, makes Python 3 super-important.

With the Pi being a key focus of modern RISC OS, it is essential the RISC
OS offer a similar level of functionality. After all, we already have
great editors like StrongEd and Zap, so a RISC OS Python 3 experience has
the potential to be excellent.


Where do we go from here?
=========================

Right now you can download and use Python 3 on RISC OS. For the future,
we'll be concentrating on bring you significant python add-on libraries
like PyGame - a popular favourite with Pi magazines for type-in-lisitings
as it allows easy display of graphics, sound and input.

Beyond that, the next challenges will be supporting Python 3.9 and so on.

But in the here and now, Python 3 is now available and useful on RISC OS,
and is nicely integrated so that Python programs can be run just like
BASIC files.

Enjoy!


--
Andrew Rawnsley
RISC OS Developments Ltd


_______________________________________________________________ a.m.conroy@argonet.co.uk, Moderator of comp.sys.acorn.announce.
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