Chapter 1: Environment Setup - Python Quick Tutorial

1. Install Python

Use Python 3.12 or 3.13. From python.org, enable “Add python.exe to PATH” on Windows.

brew install python@3.12
python3 --version

sudo apt update && sudo apt install python3.12 python3.12-venv python3-pip

💡 Prefer python3 and pip3 in the shell.

mkdir myapp && cd myapp
python3 -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate
pip install --upgrade pip

Deactivate with deactivate.

def main() -> None:
    print("Hello, Python!")

if __name__ == "__main__":
    main()

python3 hello.py

🔄 vs Java

if __name__ == "__main__" is the script entry point, similar in spirit to public static void main.

pip install requests
pip freeze > requirements.txt
pip install -r requirements.txt

Install the Microsoft “Python” extension and select the interpreter under .venv/bin/python.

Use venv per project; pin dependencies with requirements.txt or lock files in larger projects.