How To Install Python + Django + Aptana Studio on Windows 7

In this article, I will explain how to get Python, Django, and Aptana Studio running smoothly on windows.

1. Install Python

•  Go to http://www.python.org/download/ and download the Python. I am currently using the 2.7 version. Note that the latest version may not work with Windows yet.
•  Execute and install what you’ve just downloaded with the default options
• open command window and type 'python' to test if it is successfully installed. If command not recognized, follow these steps to add the path in Windows 7. Start -> Control Panel -> System and Security->Systems-> Advanced system settings->Environment Variables-> System Variables -> PATH->modify PATH by appending ;C:\Python27;C:\Python27\Scripts”. Also make sure you have a semicolon (;) before what you write.

2. Installing Django

• Go to http://www.djangoproject.com/download/ and download the version that best suits you. Version 1.3 works fine for me.
• Extract the files to a folder. WinZip will do the job. Please REMEMBER THE FOLDER WHERE YOU EXTRACTED DJANGO.
• Open a command prompt (Start > Run > Type in “cmd” and press OK). In the black window that is going to show up, type in cd “[directory_of_django]“. For example: cd "C:\www\python\Django-1.3″. 
• setup.py install

3. Installing aptana studio

Aptana studio is a version of eclipse that already comes with HTML and CSS editors, and installing PyDev in it is really easy.

• Go to http://www.aptana.org/studio/download and download the standalone full installer version.
• go to Window > Preferences > PyDev > Interpreter – Python and click “Auto-Config”
• Click OK on everything else

4. Installing MySQL for Python

If you are going to use django with MySQL, you will probably need to perform those steps:

• Go to http://www.codegood.com/downloads and download
• MySQL-python-1.2.2.win32-py2.6.exe, if you have a 32 bit OS or MySQL-python-1.2.2.win-amd64-py2.6.exe, if you have a 64 bit OS. In doubt, download the first one.
• Install it.

Have fun!