Starting your work with Python
Now that you have Python 3 installed, it's time to check if it works and make the very first use of it.
This will be a very simple procedure, but it should be enough to convince you that the Python environment is complete and functional.
There are many ways of utilizing Python, especially if you're going to be a Python developer.
To Start your work, you need the following tools:
- an editor which will support you in writing the code (it should have some special features, not available in simple tools); this dedicated editor will give you more than the standard OS equipment
- a console in which you can launch your newly written code and stop it forcibly when it gets our of control
- a tool named a debugger, able to launch your code step-by-step, which will allow you to inspect it at each moment of execution.
Besides its many useful components, the Python 3 standard installation contains a very simple but extremely useful application named IDLE.
IDLE is the acronym: Integrated Development and Learning Environment.
Naviage through your OS menus, find IDLE somewhere under Python 3.x and launch it. This is what you should see:
How to write and run your very first program 1
It is now time to write and run your first Python 3 program. It will be very simple, for now.
The first step is to create a new source file and fill it with coe. Click File in the IDLE menu and choose New File
As you can see, IDLE opens a new window for you. You can use it to write and amend your code.
This is the editor window. It's only purpose is to be a workplace in which your source code is treated. Do not confuse the editor window with the shell window. They perform different functions.
The editor window is currently untitled, but it's good practice to start work by naming the source file.
Click File (in the new window), then click Save as..., select a folder for the enw file (the desktop is a good place for your first programming attempts) and chose a name for the new file.
Note: don't set any extension for the file name you are going to use. Python needs its files to have the .py extension, so you should rely on the dialog window's defaults. Using the standard .py extension enables the OS to properly open these files.
