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!
4. Conclusion.
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.
5. Demo Video for This Article.
Below is the video version of this article.