In order to be able to work with Python, we need to install two things:
– Python itself
– a text editor or an integrated development environment (IDE)
Table of Contents
Installing Python
Let’s start by installing Python. We can download it from www.python.org. There are versions for all the major operating systems:
Make sure to download and install the latest version of Python. When installing Python on a Windows computer, make sure to check Add Python 3.6 (or any other version) to PATH.
As I mentioned in the first lesson, I’m not using the latest version of Python in the course because the course was created back in 2018, but it doesn’t actually matter. You can install the latest version of Python or an older one, preferably not less than 3.6.
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Installing a Text Editor
After installing Python we need to install a text editor or IDE, which is where we actually can write our Python code. In the folder where your Python is installed you can find IDLE, which you can use to write your code. There are lots of other options, like PyCharm, Eclipse, Vim, NetBeans and many, many more. I don’t want to impose any of them on you, just look around and choose what suits you best. You can stay with IDLE, which is pretty good. There’s also Notepad++. Some of the IDEs are free, some are paid. There are so many of them, just make a search online.
Actually you could write your code in any text editor and save it with the .py extension, but it’s not an optimal solution. The IDEs offer much more functionality, like syntax coloring, automatic indentation, intellisense to help you write the code faster, commenting / uncommenting, debugging and lots of other tools. It really doesn’t make much sense to use just an ordinary text editor without all that functionality.
As for this course, I’m going to use Visual Studio with the Python Tools for Visual Studio installed. It’s a powerful IDE and may be an overkill if you’re just starting off, but it’s really worth trying out if you’re seriously thinking about programming as your career. I use Visual Studio because I’ve been using it for years for my Python and also C# development. If you prefer a different IDE, just go for it. At the early stage of learning it doesn’t matter that much. You should find the instructions how to install your IDE on the IDE’s website or just make a search on the Internet. There are so many IDEs that I don’t want to spend half the course on describing the installation processes. I’m sure you’ll know how to do it. After you have installed your IDE, you’re ready to start working with Python.
QUIZ
| 1. PyCharm and Eclipse are: |
| A) programming languages |
| B) IDEs |
| C) simple text editors where you can write your Python code |
| 2. The extension for files with Python code is: |
| A) .python |
| B) .py |
| C) .pyth |
TRUE OR FALSE
| 1) All Python IDEs are free. |
| 2) You can use IDLE to write Python code. |
| 3) It’s possible to write your Python code in any text editor. |
SOLUTION
QUIZ
| 1. PyCharm and Eclipse are: |
| A) programming languages |
| B) IDEs |
| C) simple text editors where you can write your Python code |
| 2. The extension for files with Python code is: |
| A) .python |
| B) .py |
| C) .pyth |
TRUE OR FALSE
| 1) All Python IDEs are free. False |
| 2) You can use IDLE to write Python code. True |
| 3) It’s possible to write your Python code in any text editor. True |