I am a total newbie in the Python world.
I want to start to experiment with Python and IronPython and compare the results.
Is it possible to install Python and IronPython on the same machine with interfering each other or is it besser to this in the virtual machine.
Thx in advance.
Should be no problem, they have different executable filenames also.
Yes, Python and IronPython are completely different applications that happen to implement (almost) the same language.
Yes, and you can do it very easily if you install eclipse with pydev.
Eclipse with the pydev pluging provides you of an IDE capable of working with IronPython, Jython and Python (2.x and 3.x).
Additionally pydev have some facilities to work with django and gae if they are among your interests.
If you do not like pydev and you are in windows you can try SharpDevelop that is one of the best IDEs for IronPython. But here you can not use python. I normally work with Ironpython (and Boo) in Sharpdevelop and with Python in SPE. All in the same computer, of course.
Sure, you could even install different versions of cPython interpreter (2.5, 2.6, 3.0, etc).