How To Get Started With Python?
Python is a free and open source, cross-platform computer language.
What is meant by cross-platform? It means, Python can be run on multiple platforms like Windows, macOS, Linux and also has been ported to the JAVA and .NET virtual machines.
Most of today’s Linux and Mac have Python pre-installed in it. But the version might be out-of-date, therefore it is always a good idea to install the most current version.
Install Python
1.Download the latest version of python.
2.Run the installed file and follow the process to Download Python.
During the process, you have to check Add Python to environment variables, which is able to add Python to environment variables and allow you to run Python from any part of the computer.
Also you are able to change the path where Python will be installed.
Finally, just by clicking the Install button Python will automatically be downloaded to your computer.
Once you finish the installation process you can run Python on your computer. There are two main ways you can run Python.
1)Run Python In Immediate Mode
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Open the command prompt on your computer and type python then press enter. You will be able to see the version of Python you have installed into your computer and also it will invoke the interpreter in immediate mode.
Here we can type in Python code and press enter to get the output. Most of the time this will be used as a calculator. Try type 2+2 and press enter. You will see that it shows 4 in the next line.
By typing quit() and pressing enter you can exit this mode.
2)Run Python In The Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
IDE is a piece of software that provides useful features like code hinting, syntax highlighting and checking, file explorers, etc. to the programmer for application development.
When you install Python, the Python IDE is also automatically installed named IDLE. You can use it to run Python programs on your computer.
Trust me, this is so EASY!!!
when you open the Python IDLE, an attractive Python shell will open which is very decent for beginners.
Python shell is more like the command prompt. It can also be used as a calculator. Try below examples and see how easy it is.
It’s time to write your first Python program.
Click on the “File” button which is in the top of the Python shell. It will open a blank file and type the following statement inside of it.
print("Hello World!")After that, save the file in any name but you must save it with the .py extension in the end. For instance, I’m going to save my file as “Hello.py” .
To run the file go to Run > Run Module or simply press F5. Then you will see the output of the particular file. According to our Hello.py file, it prints Hello World! in the IDLE.
Congratulations!!! You just wrote your first program in Python!
As you can see this is really easy and less number of rules. You can guess the output just by reading the program. This is the beauty of Python programming.
