Check BeagleBoard.org - latest-images for download of images. I would try one without using eMMC first and verify it works. Once you flash, no way to go back without a re-flash. Directions are here -> https://beagleboard.org/getting-started#update. Read first and understand. Then try. Post here if you have any doubts.
After building a Debian system, you should have python.The others will be updated when you use Linux package manager called aptitude. Read about and ask if you get stuck.
Thanks Clem. My BBB came with Debian bone47. I was able to run my Python code that has a GUI using Matplotlib, Tkinter, etc with a graph, buttons, text boxes and all that. I have the 4D Systems 4DCAPE attached to my BBB.
Then I was trying to use the Adafruit BBIO for PWM and ADC but had problems so flashed the BBB with a newer Debian, bone79, and since then haven't been able to get my Python program to run. I couldn't install Tkinter and tk etc. Now I cannot even install Matplotlib: when I try to install it, I get an error that Matplotlib cannot be found. Now I am trying to install Python, Matplotlib, Tkinter, tk etc on the Debian bone50, it's 3.8.13 bone50.
