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Introduction to Python

What is Python and Why is it Popular?

Python is a high-level, interpreted programming language known for its simplicity and readability. It is widely used in various domains, including:

  • Web Development (Django, Flask)
  • Data Science & Machine Learning (Pandas, NumPy, TensorFlow, Scikit-learn)
  • Automation & Scripting (Automating repetitive tasks, working with files, APIs)
  • Cybersecurity & Ethical Hacking
  • Game Development (Pygame, Panda3D)

Key Features of Python:

  • Easy-to-Read Syntax: Python uses simple English-like syntax, making it beginner-friendly.
  • Interpreted Language: No need to compile; Python executes code line by line.
  • Extensive Libraries: A rich ecosystem of pre-built libraries for various domains.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux without modification.
  • Large Community Support: One of the most widely used languages with extensive documentation and forums.

Installing Python

Python can be installed from the official website: Python.org. Follow these steps based on your operating system:

Windows Installation:

  1. Download Python from Python.org.
  2. Run the installer and check the box “Add Python to PATH”.
  3. Open Command Prompt (cmd) and verify installation with:
   python --version

macOS Installation:

  1. Open the Terminal and install Python using Homebrew:
   brew install python3
  1. Verify installation:
   python3 --version

Linux Installation:

  1. Use the package manager to install Python:
   sudo apt install python3  # Ubuntu/Debian
   sudo yum install python3  # Fedora
  1. Verify installation:
   python3 --version

Running Python Scripts vs. Interactive Mode

Python can be run in two modes:

1. Interactive Mode (Ideal for testing small code snippets)

  • Open the terminal or command prompt.
  • Type python (or python3 on some systems) and press Enter.
  • Run Python commands directly, e.g.:
  >>> print("Hello, World!")
  Hello, World!
  • Exit the interactive mode using exit() or Ctrl+D.

2. Script Mode (Used for writing complete programs)

  • Write Python code in a file with a .py extension (e.g., script.py).
  • Run the script using the command:
  python script.py

Setting Up a Development Environment

Recommended Code Editors & IDEs:

  1. IDLE (comes with Python, suitable for beginners).
  2. VS Code (Lightweight and highly customizable with Python extensions).
  3. PyCharm (Powerful IDE with built-in debugging tools).
  4. Jupyter Notebook (Best for interactive coding and data analysis).

Writing Your First Python Program

Open a text editor or IDE, type the following, and save it as hello.py:

print("Hello, World!")

Run the script using:

python hello.py

Expected output:

Hello, World!

Explanation:

  • print() is a built-in function that outputs text to the screen.
  • Strings (text) must be enclosed in quotes (" " or ' ').
  • Python statements end with a newline, not a semicolon.

Mini Project: Simple Greeting Program

Project Steps:

  1. Ask the user for their name using input().
  2. Print a personalized greeting message.

Code Example:

# Taking user input
name = input("Enter your name: ")
# Printing a personalized message
print("Hello, " + name + "! Welcome to Python.")

Expected Output:

Enter your name: Alice
Hello, Alice! Welcome to Python.

Code Breakdown:

  • input("Enter your name: "): Captures user input as a string.
  • print("Hello, " + name + "! Welcome to Python."): Concatenates the input with a greeting message.

Enhancements & Challenges:

✅ Modify the program to ask for the user’s age and print a custom message.
✅ Use f-strings for better readability:

name = input("Enter your name: ")
print(f"Hello, {name}! Welcome to Python.")

✅ Make the greeting more interactive by adding emojis or multiple greetings.

This module introduces you to Python basics, setting up your environment, and writing your first program. In the next module, we’ll dive deeper into variables, data types, and operators! 🚀