Introduction to Python

Introduction to Python

Python is a high-level, interpreted programming language known for its simplicity and readability. Developed by Guido van Rossum and first released in 1991, Python emphasizes code readability and allows programmers to express concepts in fewer lines of code compared to languages like C++ or Java.

It is widely used in various fields such as web development, data science, artificial intelligence, and more.

Installation

1. Download Python

• Visit the official Python website.
• Download the latest version of Python. Make sure to download the version appropriate for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).

2. Install Python

Windows:

• Run the downloaded executable file.
• Make sure to check the “Add Python to PATH” option.
• Follow the installation prompts.

macOS:

• Open the downloaded .pkg file and follow the installation prompts.
• Alternatively, you can use Homebrew: brew install python3.

Linux:

Use the package manager of your distribution. For example, on Ubuntu:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install python3

IDEs

Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) provide a comprehensive environment to write, run, and debug Python code. Here are some popular IDEs:

• PyCharm: A powerful IDE specifically for Python, offering code analysis, graphical debugging, and more.
• Visual Studio Code: A lightweight, open-source code editor with extensions for Python support.
• Jupyter Notebook: An interactive web application for running and sharing Python code in a notebook format.
• Spyder: An IDE tailored for data science, integrating with libraries such as NumPy, SciPy, and Matplotlib.

Jupyter notebook installation

1. Download Anaconda

• Visit the Anaconda download page.
• Choose the appropriate installer for your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux).
• Download the installer.

2. Install Anaconda

bash Anaconda3-2022.02-Linux-x86_64.sh

3. Verify Installation

• Open a terminal (or Anaconda Prompt on Windows).
• Type:

conda --version

4. Launch Jupyter Notebook

• Open a terminal (or Anaconda Prompt on Windows).
• Type:

jupyter notebook

• This will open Jupyter Notebook in your default web browser.
• You can create new notebooks, open existing ones, and start coding using Python.

Alternative Installation using pip

If you already have Python installed and prefer to use pip:

1. Install Jupyter Notebook

• Open a terminal (or command prompt on Windows).
• Type:

pip install notebook

• This will also open Jupyter Notebook in your default web browser.

Recommended note

Installing Jupyter Notebook via Anaconda is recommended for beginners as it simplifies the setup process and ensures compatibility with other data science libraries included in Anaconda. Alternatively, installing with pip is suitable if you already have Python installed and prefer a minimal setup.

Basic Syntax

print("Hello, World!")