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Python Basics

Introduction to Programming & Python

1. What is Programming?

  • Writing code/scripts/commands that a computer can understand and execute
  • Can target many platforms: desktop computers (Windows, Linux, Mac), embedded systems (TVs, fridges, cars, robots, microcontrollers)
  • Programming is everywhere — virtually every electronic device around you runs some program

2. Programming vs. Coding

  • Coding = programming where you specifically write code
  • In ~99% of cases the terms are interchangeable
  • Rare exception: some programming can be done without writing code (e.g. visual/no-code tools)

3. Python Overview

  • One of the most popular programming languages in the world
  • Used by tens of millions of developers
  • Considered easy to learn — good first language
  • A professional-grade language (e.g., Google lists it as an official language)
  • General-purpose: versatile enough to do almost anything

Main Use Cases

Domain Guides
Machine Learning & AI One of Python's strongest areas
Data Science & Analysis Very widely used
Data Visualization Strong library support
Web / Backend Development Flask, Django, FastAPI
Finance Widely adopted in industry
Task Automation Scripting, bots, etc.

4. Setting Up Python Locally

Step 1 — Download Python

  • Visit python.org → Downloads
  • Site auto-detects your OS and suggests the right version
  • Use Python 3, not Python 2
  • Any version ≥ 3.6 is fine for this course

Step 2 — IDLE (Built-in Editor)

  • Installed automatically with Python
  • Open it: search "IDLE" in Windows Search / Mac Spotlight / Linux app search
  • Basic Python console — enough to run code, but minimal features

Step 3 — VS Code (Recommended)

  • Full IDE: Visual Studio Code — download at code.visualstudio.com
  • Features used in the course:
  • Run button — executes the current .py file
  • F11 — fullscreen mode (Windows)
  • Ctrl + Shift + P → Zen Mode — distraction-free editor view
  • Terminal panel — shows output when code is run

5. Python Files

  • All Python code lives in files with a .py extension (e.g., test.py)
  • VS Code auto-detects .py files and shows the Python logo
  • File names can be anything valid, as long as they end in .py

6. Key Takeaways & Recap

  1. Python is general-purpose, beginner-friendly, and professionally relevant
  2. You can practice without any local setup using an in-browser IDE
  3. For local development: install Python → use IDLE or VS Code
  4. All code runs from .py files; output appears in the terminal