Python - Get Started - W3Schools.com

Introduction

This tutorial provides a comprehensive guide for beginners to get started with Python programming. Based on a video from W3Schools, it covers essential steps including checking if Python is installed, writing your first Python program, and running Python in various environments.

Step 1: Check if Python is Installed

Before starting with Python, it's important to verify if it is already installed on your system.

• For Windows Users:

  • Open the Command Prompt. You can do this by searching for "cmd" in the Start menu.
  • Type the following command and press Enter:

    python --version
    

  • If Python is installed, you will see the version number. If not, you'll need to download and install it.

• For Mac Users:

  • Open the Terminal application.
  • Type the command below and press Enter:

    python3 --version
    

  • Check for the version number to ensure installation.

• Linux Users:

  • Open your terminal.
  • Enter the command:

    python3 --version
    

  • Confirm that Python is installed by checking the version number.

Step 2: Write Your First Python Program

Once you've confirmed that Python is installed, you can write your first program.

• Using an Online Editor:

  • Go to the W3Schools TryPython page: W3Schools TryPython.
  • In the editor, type the following code:

    print("Hello, World!")
    

  • Click the "Run" button to execute your code and see the output.

• Using a Local Editor:

  • Open a text editor and create a new file named hello.py.
  • Write the same code:

    print("Hello, World!")
    

  • Save the file and navigate to its location in your command line or terminal.

Step 3: Run Python in Your Browser

You can run Python code directly in your web browser using online interpreters.

• Visit the W3Schools TryPython page.
• Enter your Python code in the provided text area.
• Click "Run" to see the output immediately.

Tip: This is a great way to test small snippets of code without needing to set up a local environment.

Step 4: Run Python in Command Line

You can also run Python programs directly from your command line.

• For Windows:

  • Open Command Prompt and navigate to the directory where your hello.py file is saved.
  • Run the following command:

    python hello.py
    

• For Mac and Linux:

  • Open the terminal and navigate to the directory of your hello.py.
  • Use the command:

    python3 hello.py
    

Conclusion

You have now successfully checked if Python is installed, written your first Python program, and learned how to run Python in different environments. As a next step, consider exploring more complex Python concepts and building small projects to enhance your skills. For further learning, visit the full Python tutorial on W3Schools to dive deeper into the language.