As a novice explorer in the realm of programming, venturing into the world of Python opens up a realm of possibilities. To help you take your first steps, this introduction will guide you through three distinct avenues for writing Python code: the dynamic allure of the Python interactive console, the user-friendly embrace of the built-in IDLE environment, and the empowering creation of Python source files. Each path offers a unique approach to writing and executing code, catering to your evolving needs as you embark on this exciting journey.
1. Python Interactive Console.
- The Python interactive console provides an immediate way to experiment with Python code. Follow these steps to get started.
- Open your terminal or command prompt.
- Type `python` or `python3` (depending on your Python version & OS) and press the Enter key. This launches the Python interactive console.
- Now, you can start typing Python code directly in the console, and it will be executed immediately after pressing Enter.
- For example, you can try typing `print(“Hello, World!”)` and pressing Enter.
- You’ll see the output `Hello, World!` displayed right away.
C:\Users\Zhao Song>python Python 3.9.12 (main, Apr 4 2022, 05:22:27) [MSC v.1916 64 bit (AMD64)] :: Anaconda, Inc. on win32 Warning: This Python interpreter is in a conda environment, but the environment has not been activated. Libraries may fail to load. To activate this environment please see https://conda.io/activation Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information. >>> print("Hello, World!") Hello, World! >>>
- To exit the interactive console, type `exit()` or press `Ctrl + Z` (Windows) or `Ctrl + D` (macOS/Linux).
>>> print("Hello, World!") Hello, World! >>> exit()
2. Python Built-in IDLE.
- IDLE is a simple integrated development environment that comes with Python. It’s especially useful for beginners as it provides a user-friendly interface for writing and running Python code.
- Search for “IDLE” in your system’s search bar and open it.
- A new window will appear. Here, you can start typing your Python code.
- Write your code, such as `print(“Hello, World!”)`.
- When you press the Enter key, the output will be displayed in the interactive shell within the IDLE window.
3. Coding Python Source File.
- Writing code in a source file and then executing it is a common practice for creating more complex programs. Here’s how you can do it.
- Open a text editor or code editor like Notepad (Windows), TextEdit (macOS), Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, or any other preferred editor.
- Write your Python code in the editor. For example.
print("hello python world!")
- Save the file with a `.py` extension, such as `hello.py`.
- Open your terminal or command prompt and navigate to the directory where you saved the file.
- Run the script using the command: `python hello.py`.
- You’ll see the output `hello python world!` displayed in the terminal.
D:\>python hello.py hello python world!
These three methods provide different ways to start coding in Python as a beginner. As you become more comfortable, you can explore more advanced concepts, libraries, and tools to enhance your coding skills and build exciting projects. Remember, practice and experimentation are key to becoming a confident Python programmer.