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Software Setup

This document outlines how to set up a computer to most effectively be used for this course.

Do Once (on any computer)

Create a folder in your Google Drive for this course, and name it something that will be meaningful to you (for example, Grade 12 Computers). Once created, share it with me: dcstewart@scdsb.on.ca.

On Each Computer You Use for this Course

Install Google Drive Desktop:

  • On a school computer:
    • First, search your computer for the Drive program to see if it's already installed. If it is, open it up and log in.
    • If not, open Company Portal, then search for and install GoogleFileStream.
  • On a personal computer:

Note - during the install of this, it might ask you to back up some extra folders. You can say no to all of these requests.

Once this software is set up, you should be able to view your Google Drive files through the G: drive on your computer.

Next, download these two files to the Google Drive folder you created for this course:

Go into this folder through the Windows File Explorer, and double-click on update.bat. If it displays a pop-up about trusting this file, uncheck the box that says to ask this every time, then go ahead and trust the file. You will be running this on a regular basis to keep your folders up to date with new files that are made available to you.

If all went well, you should see some additional files and/or folders appear in this folder.

If you get to this point, you have everything ready for the first few weeks. The rest of this document is optional until we get to programming.

Install Python:

  • On a school computer - you probably already have this, but if not, it is available on Company Portal
  • On a personal computer:
    • Install from this link. While it's installing, be on the lookout for any option about adding Python to your PATH. Make sure to say yes.

Install Visual Studio Code:

  • On a school computer - search for it first to see if it's installed. If not, search for it in Company Portal and install it
  • On a personal computer - Install from this link

Once Visual Studio Code is installed, open it up and install the Python extension. You can see how by watching this video, but unlike the video, you do NOT need to additionally install the Python Debugger Extension.