This Python Get Started lesson is for a beginner. Read the short notes, run each example, then change one name or number and run it again.
Install Python 3 from python.org, then open a terminal and run python --version. You should see a version starting with 3.
On this page you do not need a local install to experiment. Use Try it Yourself, change the code, and press Run.
Example 1: Start here
A local install is still worth having before you write files or install packages.
import sys # load a tool that comes with Python
print(sys.version.split()[0]) # split breaks the text into pieces
Example 2: Show the version text
split breaks the version at each dot. The first piece is the major version.
version = "3.12.0" # text
print(version.split(".")[0]) # split breaks the text into pieces
Example 3: Check that it starts with 3
startswith answers True or False. You want True before you follow a Python 3 tutorial.
version = "3.12.0" # text
print(version.startswith("3")) # True or False
Example 4: Print a next step
The browser runner is enough for these small programs.
print("Next: open Try it Yourself and change the text") # print writes this; the quotes are not shown
A local install is still worth having before you write files or install packages.
