Python basics - Day 01

Day 1 – Python Setup & Basic Functions (print, type)

Project: Build Your First “Python Greeting App”

01. Learning Goal

By the end of this lesson you will be able to:

• Set up a Python environment on your computer

• Use print() to display messages dynamically

• Use type() to check data types

• Write a simple, functioning Python script

02. Problem Scenario

You’ve just installed Python and VS Code, and you want to verify that everything works.
Your mission: create a small “Greeting App” that prints a personalized message using your name and age, and displays their data types.

03. Step 1 – Set Up Your Environment

1. Install Python 3.10 or newer → python.org/downloads

2. Install VS Code (your development environment)

3. Check your Python installation
   

python --version   # Check Python version
python             # Enter Python shell
exit()             # Exit the shell

If you see something like Python 3.11.x, you’re ready.

04. Step 2 – Display Output with print()

print() outputs text or variable values to the screen.

# Simple message
print("Hello, Python!")

# Print multiple values
print("My age is", 35)

# Print using f-string
name = "Sabin"
print(f"My name is {name}")

Why it matters: print() is your main debugging tool—it shows what your code is doing.

05. Step 3 – Inspect Data Types with type()

type() returns the data type of any variable—essential for understanding what your code is handling.

a = 10
print(type(a))   # <class 'int'>

b = 3.14
print(type(b))   # <class 'float'>

c = "Hello"
print(type(c))   # <class 'str'>

d = True
print(type(d))   # <class 'bool'>

Insight: Knowing your data types prevents logical errors and helps with debugging.

06. Step 4 – Mini Project: “Python Greeting App”

Now combine what you learned to build a small, meaningful script.

name = "Sabin"
age = 30

print(f"My name is {name}, and I am {age} years old.")
print("Name Type:", type(name))
print("Age Type:", type(age))

Expected Output

My name is Sabin, and I am 30 years old.
Name Type: <class 'str'>
Age Type: <class 'int'>

07. Practice Tasks

1. Modify the code to ask for user input using input() (e.g., name and age).
2. Add a new variable is_student = True and print its type.
3. Experiment with changing age to a float (30.5) and check the new type.

08. Reflection

You successfully:

Installed and verified Python

Used print() to output text and variables

Checked data types using type()

Built a working Greeting App

🔍 This foundational knowledge will be reused in almost every Python project you create—whether for data analysis, web apps, or automation.