Python Installation and Setup

Python Installation and Setup

In this tutorial you will learn

• Installing Python on your system
• Setting up IDE for Python
• Basics of Python

1. Installing Python on Your System

Checking Version

For Mac / Linux:
First of all open CMD / Terminal ( on Mac/Linux) and type

python

then press enter. If python is already installed then the version number will appear. On Mac and Linux systems it’s usually installed.

For Windows:

Open Command Line CMD then type

python --version

Installation:

Install the latest version 3.8.2 using the links below depending on your operating system. 

For Windows:https://www.python.org/downloads/windows/

For Mac / Linux: https://www.python.org/downloads/mac-osx/

After download is successful just install Python using the installer. Make sure you check the version again just for confirmation that Python has successfully been installed.

2. Setting up IDE for Python

Download your favourite text editor for Windows / Mac / Linux personally I like to use VS Code

https://code.visualstudio.com/download

Go to extensions from the left bar and install the extension named Python for better hinting and debugging capabilities.

3. Make a Python file

Now that everything is setup. It’s time to create your first Python file. Follow these steps:

1. Open VS Code ( or any text editor that you installed )
2. Name the file firstPythonFile.py
3. Save the file

And there you go your first file is ready. But right now it’s empty so let’s start writing some code.

4. Write your first line of code in Python

To write your first line of code in Python. Follow these steps:

1. Open firstPythonFile.py that you just created

2. Write

print(‘This is my first Python file’)

3. Open CMD / Terminal > go to directory for firstPythonFile.py ( e.g cd myDirectory ).
4. Type firstPythonFile.py and press enter.
5. You should see the result in console.