macOS Ruby/Python help, please

[CraigPotz]

Noob here. I've done a forum search, but haven't found anything appropriate.

I have a relatively new iMac running 10.5.5 with Ruby and Python installed. I've downloaded both Ruby and Python IDE's, and can program amateurishly in both languages. The Python IDE invoked X11 without any action on my part.

I also have three PC's running Windows XP. I've run Turbo Pascal on one of those, and have been able to create .exe files that are portable to other machines and can be run simply by double-clicking them.

I realize that the iMac can't run an .exe file, and I realize that Turbo Pascal is a compiled language, and Ruby and Python are both interpreted languages.

When I run Python on the PC, I get a dialog box in response to an input instruction. When I use the iMac's Ruby or Python IDE, I get only the inline text prompt inside the IDE.

My question: how can I run a Ruby or Python program as an app on the iMac like I run a compiled .exe Turbo Pascal program on a PC? Please keep any answer simple and step by step, as I'm a relative noob and confuse very easily.

TIA.

 

[Macgenie]

Running python on a Mac

Noob here. I've done a forum search, but haven't found anything appropriate.

I have a relatively new iMac running 10.5.5 with Ruby and Python installed. I've downloaded both Ruby and Python IDE's, and can program amateurishly in both languages ....

Hi CraigPotz - if you navigate to your applications folder, open utilities & launch the Terminal application, an interactive command line window will appear. (This is the native Unix command line tool).

Type python at the prompt and you will launch Python.

Type help() to see a help screen, this will point you to tutorials etc.