How to Download and Install Python on Your System
Python is known for its simplicity, so its installation and usage are no exception. Installing Python on your system will be as simple as installing any other program. Once installed, you can use Python to create your programs without needing to install anything else, as we'll see later.
Download Python
First, you'll need to download the Python installer according to your system. It's recommended that you download and install the latest version (you know, next, next, next :P).
You can download Python directly from the official site, here. Once there, the site will detect your system, and you have to click on "Download Python X.Y.Z," according to the latest version, for example, 3.9.1, or whichever is the latest.
If you want to use a different operating system or version, follow the links indicated there. Here are the links for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux (although if you're on Linux, Python is already installed on your system).
Verify your Python installation
Once you've downloaded Python on your system and installed it (just a matter of following the instructions -- next, next...), you should have something called IDLE (Python X.Y 32-bit) on your system. You might also have the 64-bit version, which is better, and there won't be any noticeable difference for you, so no worries.
The Python IDLE
IDLE stands for Integrated Development and Learning Environment, which, if translated, gives us the idea that it's an integrated environment for the development AAAND learning Python. That's right, using IDLE, you can run Python code, check its functionality, and create and run files with Python code. Let's see an essential use:
Run your first Python program with IDLE
So, open your IDLE and write the following code there (remember the "Hello World")?
print("Hello World")
By doing this, Python, through IDLE, will display the message "Hello World" or any text you put within the quotes on your screen.
Create your files for your Python programs
Surely you've thought about it; it would be very tedious to put each line directly into the IDLE, so of course, from there, you can create separate files that you can save anywhere on your system and then run them. So, check the following:
- With IDLE open, click on "File" and then "New File" (or press Ctrl + N). That will create a new blank file.
- In that new file, write your code (the Hello World one will do). Once the code is written, save your file by going to File and Save (or simply Ctrl + S). Please choose a preferred path, but don't forget where it is.
- Now, it's time to run your file. To do that, go to Run and then click on Run Module (or press F5). By doing this, IDLE will automatically display the running results of your program.
Alright, at this point, everything is ready to run Python programs on your system, so it's time to start creating some in the following articles. See you there.
This article was updated 8 months ago
