Lesson Introduction to Python and its Installation

Welcome to the World of Python! ?

If you are here it is because you have decided to take your first steps in the exciting world of programming. And what better way to start than with Python, a language that stands out for being easy to learn and very powerful. Python is used in a wide range of areas, from web development to Artificial Intelligence.

In this lesson, we are going to learn what Python is, why it is so popular and how you can install it on your computer. Let's get started!

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What is Python? ?

Python is a high-level programming language, meaning it is designed to be easy to read and write, approaching human language. It was created by Guido van Rossum in 1989 and has since grown in popularity thanks to its simplicity and flexibility.

What makes Python so special is that:

• Clear syntax: Python uses a clean and readable code style, making it easy to learn.
• Versatility: You can use Python to create web applications, analyze data, build artificial intelligence algorithms, automate repetitive tasks, and much more!
• Large community: Python has a huge global community of developers who create libraries and tools that you can use to solve almost any programming problem.

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Installing Python and VS Code) on your Computer?️

Now that you know what Python is, let's see how you can install it on your computer and configure it correctly. Let's go step by step:

Step 1: Installing Python

• Download Python:
  • Go to the official Python site: https://www.python.org/downloads/
  • On the main page, you should see a download button for the latest version of Python, such as "Download Python 3.X.X" (where X.X.X is the most current version).
• Run the installer:
  • Open the downloaded file (python-3.x.x.exe).
  • Very important! Make sure to check the "Add Python to PATH" box before clicking "Install Now". This will allow you to run Python from anywhere on your computer.
  • Click on "Install Now" and wait for the installation to finish.

• Check the installation:
  • Once the installation is complete, open the Command Prompt (CMD).

• Type the following command and press Enter:

python --version

• On macOS/Linux: Open the terminal and type the same command python3 --version. You should see the version of Python you just installed.

You should see something like Python 3.X.X, which indicates that Python is
installed correctly.
And that's it! You already have Python installed on your machine.

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Step 2: Installing Visual Studio Code (VS Code)

• Download Visual Studio Code:
  • Go to the official website of VS Code: https://code.visualstudio.com/download
  • Click the "Download for Windows" button and save the installer.

• Install VS Code:
  • Open the downloaded file and follow the installer steps.

• Recommendation: Make sure you select the options to add VS Code to the PATH during installation. This will make it easier to run VS Code from the terminal.

• Set up VS Code for Python:
  • Once VS Code is installed, open it.
  • Go to the Extensions ** section (the square icon in the left sidebar) and search for "Python**". Select the official Microsoft extension and install it.

• This extension will help you with code autocompletion, debugging, and many other useful features for programming in Python.

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Alternative: Use an Online Editor?️

If you don't want to install anything on your computer at the moment or prefer to work in the cloud, there are several online editor options that you can use to learn Python without needing to install anything.

Option 1: Online Python https://www.online-python.com/.

Option 2: Programiz https://www.programiz.com/python-programming/online-compiler/.

Option 3: CodeSkulptor3 https://py3.codeskulptor.org/

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Your First Python Program: "Hello, World!" ?

Now that Python is installed (or you've chosen an online editor), it's time to write your first program. Python makes this extremely easy. Let's write the classic "Hello, World!".

Enter your code
Open your code editor and type the following:

python --version

Run your program

• If you use VS Code, you can run your code from the built-in terminal or by pressing the Run button.
• If you are using Replit or Google Colab, just click Run or the play icon. If everything is fine, you should see something like this on the screen:

print("¡Hola, Mundo!")

Congratulations! You have written and run your first Python program. ?

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Key Concepts of This Lesson:

• Python is an easy-to-learn, flexible and powerful programming language.
• Install Python: You can download it from python.org, and don't forget to check the "Add Python to PATH" option if you are on Windows.
• Install Visual Studio Code: It is an excellent editor for writing Python code. Don't forget to install the Python extension.
• Online editors: If you prefer not to install anything, you can use editors like Online Python, Programiz or CodeSkulptor3.

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Mini Challenges to Practice?

Now that you've learned how to install Python and write your first program, it's time to put what you've learned into practice! Here are some mini challenges:

1. Challenge 1: Change the message inside print() so that it prints your name. Example: print("Hello, [your name]!").
2. Challenge 2: Write another program that prints your age. For example: print("I am 25 years old").
3. Challenge 3: Experiment with different messages and make sure you use double and single quotes correctly.

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Additional Resources?

• Official Python documentation: https://docs.python.org/es/3/
• Interactive tutorials: https://www.learnpython.org/

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Call to Action: Keep Learning and Share Your Achievements! ?

Congratulations on completing your first lesson! ? Now I encourage you to continue with the next step of this series, where we will delve into the basics of Python, such as data types and control structures.

If you feel comfortable, sharing your progress is a great way to stay motivated. Do you dare to publish your first program on social networks using the hashtag #MyFirstPython? We would love to see your achievements!

Don't forget to leave your questions in the comments if you need help. See you in the next lesson!

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Summary:

• You learned what Python is and why it is one of the most popular languages ​​in the world.
• You installed Python on your computer.
• You wrote and ran your first Python program.
• You discovered how to use online editors like Programiz or CodeSkulptor3. Now you are ready to continue learning! ?

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