Kigneer

At the installation stage in "Learning Python" book, but it has only a paragraph explaining three versions (I won't be using Java so Jython doesn't interest me); and the same goes for execution optimization tools.

Should I study with the default CPython, or because my interest is in making small helper programs to run on my Windows box (and later modding games that use Python, like Oblivion), should I start from the beginning with IronPython?

And which optimization tool would be best for either Python installation?

The book highlights some possible benefits of IronPython (such as possible performance increases), but like to know from more advanced programmers who's been there/done that: which flavor will be best for me to learn from the ground up that suits the above goals?

Trying to avoid frustration in jumping into something that goes down the wrong path.

Advice?