Editing Installing Python

== Installation ==

=== Linux and MacOS ===
On Linux and MacOS systems, Python should already be installed.

You can verify this using the method in the ''''Checking installation'''<nowiki/>' chapter.

If installed, you can skip to the ''''Project setup'''<nowiki/>' chapter.

=== Installing on Linux ===
If not installed, simply use your package manager to install ''''python3'.'''

==== Arch ====
On Arch-based distros (e.g. Manjaro), run the following command:
 sudo pacman -Sy python3

==== Debian ====
On Debian-based distros (such as Ubuntu), type:
 sudo apt install python3

=== Installing on Windows ===
On Windows, navigate to the [https://python.org/download/windows Python website] (python.org) and install the latest stable build.

Scroll to the bottom of this page and find ''''Windows installer (64-bit)''''.

Open the .exe file and go through the installation process.

'''Note''': Make sure to 'add Python to system PATH'. This allows us to use Python through the terminal.

== Checking installation ==

=== Terminal setup ===
Once you have installed Python, open a system terminal.

On Linux and MacOS, this is called the ''''terminal'''<nowiki/>'.

On Windows, this is called the ''''command prompt'''<nowiki/>' or ''''powershell'''<nowiki/>'.

=== Checking Python version ===
Now we need to run a command to check if Python is installed.

The result should be the name of the Python version you installed, printed to the screen.

==== Linux or MacOS ====
On Linux or MacOS, type the following command to check if Python is installed:
 python3 --version

==== Windows ====
On Windows, type this command into the command prompt:
 py --version

==== Checking Python install ====
If this returns a Python version, such as below, you have successfully installed Python:
 > '''python3 --version'''
   ''Python 3.11.3''
However, if this returns an error, like below, try reinstalling Python:
 '''> python3 --version'''
   ''zsh: command not found: python3''

== Project setup ==
In this chapter, we will set up the project structure, and the files we will be using.

=== Creating a folder ===
Firstly, create a new folder for the project.

In this course, we will create the ''''learnpython'''<nowiki/>' folder in the ''''/home/''yourname''/coding'''<nowiki/>' folder.

You can create this folder through a file manager, or through the terminal.

==== Linux or MacOS command line ====
On Unix (Linux or MacOS), type the following commands.

First, navigate to your documents folder:
 cd ~/Documents
If you haven't already, create a coding folder for all your projects:
 mkdir coding
Finally, create our project folder:
 mkdir learnpython

==== Windows command line ====
On Windows, first navigate to the parent directory:
 cd C:/Users/''yourname'''''/'''Documents
If you don't already have one, create a programming folder:
 md coding
Finally, create the ''''learnpython'''<nowiki/>' folder:
 md learnpython

=== Creating a Python file ===
Now we need to create a Python file.

There are a few ways to do this, such as:

* Using a text editor
* Using the command line

==== Text editor ====
To create a new Python file, open a text editor, such as VS Code, and save the file.

Save the file with the ''''.py'''<nowiki/>' extension.

For example, the file could be called ''''hello.py'''<nowiki/>'.

Save this file in your ''''learnpython'''<nowiki/>' directory.

==== Command line ====
You can also use the command line to create a Python file.

If you are not still in your project folder, navigate to it using the ''''cd'''<nowiki/>' command.

Then type the following:
 . > hello.py
Replacing ''hello'' with the name of your file you want to create.

== Python course ==
This lesson is part of the Python course.

[[Python Hello World|Go to the next lesson]].

[[Intro to Python|Go to the previous lesson]].

[[Python|Go back to the course overview]].
[[Category:Python]]
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