Getting started with Python

Picking a Python tutorial

• If you have prior programming experience, we recommend going through the official python.org tutorial, starting here.
• If you have no prior programming experience, we recommend getting your feet wet with Python by completing the goals below, and then going through Think Python.

Goal #1: Install Python

This section has instructions for installing Python and running Python from a command prompt.

• Windows
• OS X
• Linux

Goal #2: prepare a text editor

In addition to being able to run Python, we want to have good text editor for writing Python code. If you have a preferred text editor for writing code, feel free to skip this step!

• Windows
• OS X
• Linux

Goal #3: practice starting and exiting Python

Most tutorials will have you do a lot of learning and practicing at a Python prompt (this is "interactive" because you are typing the code and hitting enter to run it yourself, instead of running it from a file). So let's practice starting and exiting Python:

• Windows
• OS X
• Linux

Goal #4: start learning Python!

It's time to start learning, reading, and writing some Python! This material will position you well for working through a full-fledged tutorial.

Click here to start the tutorial