Python is one of the most popular programming languages in the modern programming world, and its range of use and applications is expanding day by day. This language, which is easily accessible to both beginners and professionals, is particularly appealing among developers who value simplicity and productivity. In this article, we will provide the basic information and step-by-step guidelines necessary to get started with Python programming.
1. What is Python?
Python is a high-level programming language that was first released by Guido van Rossum in 1991, designed with a priority on code readability and simplicity. One of Python’s main philosophies is that “the more readable the code, the better it is.” For this reason, Python has the following characteristics:
- Simple and clear syntax: Python’s syntax is similar to English, making it easy for beginners to learn.
- Extensive standard library: Provides libraries that can be used in various fields by default.
- Platform independence: Can run on various operating systems such as Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Loose data types: Variables can be handled according to their characteristics without needing to explicitly specify the data type.
2. Installing Python
The first step in starting with Python is to install the Python interpreter. The installation process may vary slightly depending on your operating system. Follow the steps below to install Python.
Installing Python on Windows
- Go to the official Python website and download the latest version.
- Run the downloaded installer, and make sure to select the “Add Python to PATH” option during the installation process. This setting allows you to use Python commands in the command prompt.
- Once the installation is complete, open the “cmd” window and type
python --versionto verify that the installation was successful.
Installing Python on macOS
- Python is installed by default on macOS. However, it is recommended to download the latest installer from the official website to use the most recent version.
- Run the downloaded installer and follow the instructions to install.
- Open the terminal and enter
python3 --versionto check the installation.
Installing Python on Linux
- Most Linux distributions come with Python pre-installed. To install or update to the latest version, open the terminal and use the commands
sudo apt-get updateandsudo apt-get install python3. - After installation is complete, check the version with
python3 --version.
3. Setting Up the Development Environment
After installing Python, you need to set up an environment to write and execute code. There are several ways to do this, but here are some representative tools:
Python IDLE
Python IDLE is a basic integrated development environment (IDE) provided with Python, offering a lightweight coding and execution environment. It is useful for writing and executing simple scripts.
Visual Studio Code
Visual Studio Code is an IDE developed by Microsoft that offers extensive plugin support and powerful debugging tools. It supports various programming languages and is widely used for Python development. Start programming in Python by installing the Python extension plugin.
Jupyter Notebook
Jupyter Notebook is a widely used tool for data science and machine learning projects that allows you to combine code, explanations, and visualizations in a single document. To install, enter pip install jupyter, and then run it with the jupyter notebook command.