Python Basics

Installation, IDEs, and First Steps

Introduction

Python is one of the most versatile and beginner-friendly programming languages, widely used in data analysis, web development, automation, and more. In this post, we’ll guide you through the initial steps to set up Python, choose an IDE (Integrated Development Environment), and write your first Python program.

1. Installing Python

Before you can write Python code, you need to install Python on your machine. Follow these steps:

Windows

  1. Visit the official Python website.
  2. Download the latest version compatible with your system (32-bit or 64-bit).
  3. Run the installer and check the box to add Python to PATH.
  4. Complete the installation process.

MacOS

  1. Open the Terminal and type brew install python3 (requires Homebrew).
  2. Alternatively, download Python from the official website.

Linux

  • Use your distribution’s package manager:
    • Debian/Ubuntu: sudo apt update && sudo apt install python3
    • Fedora: sudo dnf install python3
  • Python usually comes pre-installed on most Linux distributions.

Verify Installation

Once installed, open a terminal or command prompt and type:

bash
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python --version

or

bash
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python3 --version

2. Setting Up Your Environment

Python offers various tools to write and execute code. Here are some popular options:

Text Editors

  • Visual Studio Code (VS Code): Lightweight and extensible with Python plugins.
  • Sublime Text: A powerful text editor with syntax highlighting.

Integrated Development Environments (IDEs)

  • PyCharm: Offers advanced features like debugging, code suggestions, and integration with version control systems.
  • Jupyter Notebook: Best for interactive coding, data analysis, and visualization.
  • Spyder: Geared towards scientific computing and data analysis.

3. Writing and Running Your First Python Program

Step 1: Create Your First Python File

  1. Open your IDE or text editor.

  2. Create a new file and name it hello.py.

  3. Write the following code:

    python
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print("Hello, World!")

Step 2: Run Your Python Program

  1. Command Line/Terminal:

    • Navigate to the directory where your file is saved.

    • Run the program using:

      bash
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python hello.py
  2. In an IDE:
    • Most IDEs have a “Run” button. Simply click it to execute your program.

You should see the output:

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Hello, World!

4. Next Steps

Congratulations! You’ve set up Python and run your first program. From here, you can explore Python further:

  • Learn how to work with variables and data types.
  • Dive into control flow with conditionals and loops.