Raspberry Pi Python: Module Installation

One of reasons for Python's popularity is its large collection of modules to help you create tools, utilities, games, websites, smartphones, robotics, and much more.

While the Standard Python Library contains well over 200 modules, sometimes you'll need to install new ones. In particular the graphical user interface (GUI) module 'Tkinter' and the impressively functional 'PyGame' module can be missing.

Assuming your Raspberry Pi has the official Debian-based Linux image on the SD card here is how you'd perform an install.

Boot up your Raspberry Pi and ensure it's connected to the Internet. Then open a new terminal window with the LXDE Desktop's 'Other->Terminal' menu option.

Now type the following Linux commands next to the '$' prompt, pressing the 'Enter' key each time:

  $ sudo apt-get install python-tk

  $ sudo apt-get install python-pygame

If prompted enter the password you used when logging on to your Raspberry Pi, and reply 'y' to any prompts.

read more of my Learn Python on the Raspberry Pi series
or view my Raspberry Pi tutorial/article/post collection page