Before you start learning Python, you need a place to write and run your code. This is called a development environment. Don’t worry—this sounds technical, but it’s just choosing the right tool and setting it up once.

In this section, we’ll walk through three popular and beginner-friendly tools:

  • Visual Studio Code (VS Code)

  • PyCharm

  • Jupyter Notebook

You do not need all three. Pick one to start—you can always try others later.

Step 1: Install Python (Required for All Tools)

Before anything else, you must install Python itself.

Install Python

  1. Go to python.org

  2. Click Downloads

  3. Download the latest version for your operating system

  4. During installation:

    • ✅ Check “Add Python to PATH”

    • Click Install Now

Verify Python Installation (Command Line)

Open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux) and type:

python --version

You should see something like:

Python 3.12.1

If you see a version number, Python is installed correctly.

Option 1: Visual Studio Code (VS Code)

VS Code is a simple, fast editor that many beginners love because it grows with you.

Why VS Code Is Good for Beginners

  • Free and lightweight

  • Works for Python and many other languages

  • Easy to customize later

Install VS Code

  1. Go to code.visualstudio.com

  2. Download and install VS Code

  3. Open VS Code

What you should see:

A clean window with a left sidebar showing icons like Explorer, Search, and Extensions.

Install the Python Extension

  1. Click the Extensions icon (four squares on the left)

  2. Search for Python

  3. Install Python (by Microsoft)

What you should see:

A message saying “Python extension installed” and Python features enabled.

Run Your First Python File

  1. Click File → New File

  2. Save it as hello.py

  3. Type:

print("Hello, Python!")

  1. Right-click in the file and select Run Python File

🎉 You just ran your first Python program.

Option 2: PyCharm

PyCharm is a full Python IDE, meaning it gives you many tools automatically.

Why PyCharm Is Good for Beginners

  • Designed specifically for Python

  • Helps catch errors early

  • Manages projects for you

Install PyCharm

  1. Go to jetbrains.com/pycharm

  2. Download PyCharm Community (Free)

  3. Install and open PyCharm

What you should see:

A welcome screen with options like New Project and Open.

Create a New Project

  1. Click New Project

  2. Make sure a Python interpreter is selected

  3. Click Create

Run Your First Program

  1. Right-click the project folder

  2. Choose New → Python File

  3. Name it hello

  4. Type:

print("Hello from PyCharm!")

  1. Right-click the file → Run 'hello'

You’ll see the output at the bottom of the screen.

Option 3: Jupyter Notebook

Jupyter Notebook is great for learning, experimenting, and data analysis.

Why Jupyter Is Beginner-Friendly

  • Run code one piece at a time

  • See results instantly

  • Combine notes and code

Install Jupyter (Command Line)

Open Command Prompt or Terminal and run:

pip install notebook

Start Jupyter Notebook

Run:

jupyter notebook

What you should see:

Your web browser opens with a file dashboard.

Create a Notebook

  1. Click New → Python 3

  2. In the first cell, type:

print("Hello, Jupyter!")

  1. Press Shift + Enter

The result appears immediately below the cell.