There are multiple reasons why Python, a dynamic and multi-faceted programming language enjoyed unrivalled popularity. This simplicity is what makes it so appealing — suitable for beginners, yet highly accessible to professional developers. Python is apt to be engaged in various industries due to its versatility and ease of assimilation. Python is a general-purpose programming language and it’s used in scripting, web development, data science, and so on. Its scope covers web and game programming with the aid of robust frameworks such as Django or Flask. In the fields of data science and machine learning, Python has risen to be at the top thanks to libraries such as NumPy and machine learning platforms like TensorFlow. It is also because the strong community, full of energy and support for Python that is why this language operates with such boundless power providing a huge ecosystem of tools and resources. This analysis gets into these aspects, discovering why Python is such a preferred language by developers around the world.
Installing Python
Installing Python is a straightforward process, and it can be done by following these steps:
Step 1: Check if Python is Already Installed: Before proceeding, check if Python is already installed on your system. Open a command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type the following command:
python --versionStep 2: Download Python: Visit the official Python website at python.org, and go to the “Downloads” section. The website will automatically recommend the latest version suitable for your operating system.
Step 3: Choose the Version: There are typically two versions available: Python 3.x (latest version) and Python 2.x (legacy version, not recommended for new projects). It’s highly recommended to download and install Python 3.x.
Step 4: Download the Installer: Click on the download link, and it will take you to a page with various installation options. Choose the installer that corresponds to your operating system. For Windows, you may have an option for the “Windows Installer” or “Windows x86–64 executable installer,” depending on your system architecture.
Step 5: Run the Installer: Once the installer is downloaded, run the installer executable file. On Windows, this is usually a .exe file, and on macOS/Linux, it might be a .pkg or .tar.gz file.
Step 6: Customize the Installation (Optional): During the installation process, you may be given the option to customize the installation. You can choose to add Python to the system PATH, which is recommended as it makes it easier to run Python from the command line.
Step 7: Install Python: Proceed with the installation by clicking “Install Now.” The installer will copy the necessary files to your system.
Step 8: Verify the Installation: Once the installation is complete, open a new command prompt or terminal and type the following command:
python --versionThis should display the version number of the installed Python. Additionally, you can enter the Python interpreter by typing:
pythonYou should see the Python prompt (>>>), indicating that Python has been successfully installed.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed Python on your system. Now you’re ready to start writing and running Python code.
Running Python code
In Python, you can run code in two primary modes: Interactive mode and Script mode. Each mode serves a specific purpose and caters to different aspects of the development process.
Interactive Mode: Interactive mode, also known as the REPL (Read-Eval-Print Loop), allows you to execute Python code interactively, one line at a time. It provides a quick and convenient way to test code snippets, explore features, and perform simple calculations.
How to Use:
- Open a terminal or command prompt.
- Type
python(orpython3on some systems) and press Enter to enter the interactive mode. - You will see the Python prompt (
>>>), indicating that you can now enter Python code interactively. - Type Python statements or expressions, and they will be executed immediately.
- To exit interactive mode, type
exit()or pressCtrl + D(on Unix-based systems) orCtrl + Z(on Windows).
Example:
>>> print("Hello, Python!")
Hello, Python!Script Mode (Using IDEs or Text Editors): Script mode involves creating a Python script, which is a file containing a sequence of Python statements or commands. Scripts allow you to write and organize code for more extensive programs or projects. You typically use an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) or a text editor to write scripts.
How to Use:
- Open your preferred IDE (e.g., PyCharm, Visual Studio Code, IDLE)
- Write your Python code in a file with a
.pyextension (e.g.,myscript.py). - Save the file.
- Run the script by executing the file using the IDE’s “Run” command, or by navigating to the script’s directory in the terminal and using the command
python myscript.py(orpython3 myscript.py).
Example Script (myscript.py):
# This is a simple Python script
print("Hello, Python Script!")Running Script from Terminal:
$ python myscript.py
Hello, Python Script!Running Script from an IDE:
- Open the script file in your IDE.
- Use the IDE’s “Run” or “Execute” command to execute the script.
These two modes complement each other in the Python development workflow. Interactive mode is excellent for quick testing and experimentation, while script mode is essential for developing more extensive applications and organizing code into reusable modules. The choice between them depends on the task at hand and the development stage.
In my upcoming article, I plan to explore key elements of Python syntax, including topics such as variables, comments, literals, data types, and operators. The focus will be on providing clear insights and examples to help readers understand these foundational aspects of Python programming.
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