Installing python
To install python, go to the python downloads page: https://www.python.org/downloads/
To see python version installed, type python -VV in the command line.
To see which version of python you are running and where it is installed in linux:
ls -l $(which python)
Where do I run python?
Once python is installed, you can run python from several places.
Run python with IDLE
When you install python you get the Integrated Development and Learning Environment (IDLE) which is where most beginners start writing programs.
If you are going to write a program with any complexity however, I would recommend you use an IDE like vs code that allows you to set breakpoints and pause program execution. This is possible in IDLE, but it is fairly rudimentary.
Run python with VS Code
Download vs code from https://code.visualstudio.com/download
Add the python extension to VS Code, by clicking on the extensions side button:
and searching for python. The correct python package to install is this one:
Then go ahead and create a hello world python file:
print('hello world!')
Now hit 'F5' to run it in VS Code.
Select "Python File Debug the currently active python file" and it will run.
This will run in the terminal at the bottom of VS Code.
Note: if you use break points in vs code and want to see the value of variables or run python commands while the program is paused, go to the debug console at the bottom and start typing away! See below for an example:
Run python inside a shell
Python shell is created from your command line tool by typing in "python". You are rewarded with '>>>' to indicate you are properly in a python shell.
If this doesn't work for you, and you get an error like this:
then the problem is that you need to add this to your operating system's path variable.
See part 2 for how to figure out path variable issues. Part 2 - Python Fundamentals: Install packages and dealing with PATH variables
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