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== Beginner's Guide to Python == #acl Known:read,write,revert All:read
= Beginner's Guide to Python =
New to programming? Python is free and easy to learn if you know where to start! This guide will help you to get started quickly.
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New to programming? Python is free, and easy to learn if you know
where to start! This guide will help you to get started quickly.
[[BeginnersGuideChinese|Chinese Translation]]
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Read [[BeginnersGuide/Overview]] for a short explanation of what Python is.
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  * Read our brief [BeginnersGuide/Overview brief overview of Python] to learn the key points.
  * First, you need to get the Python interpreter installed on your computer.
     (This is the program that reads Python programs and carries out their
     instructions; you need it before you can do any Python programming.)
     See [BeginnersGuide/Download "Downloading Python"] for instructions
     for downloading the correct version of Python.
== Getting Python ==
Next, install the Python interpreter on your computer. This is the program that reads Python programs and carries out their instructions; you need it before you can do any Python programming. Mac OSX distributions from 10.3 (Panther) and up include a version of Python, which may be suitable for beginning despite being as much as two years out of date. Linux distributions also frequently include Python, which is readily upgraded.
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  * You'll want to select a
     [/editors text editor] that has
     support for Python.
There are also Python interpreter and IDE bundles available, such as [[http://thonny.org|Thonny]]. Other options can be found at [[IntegratedDevelopmentEnvironments]].
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  * Next, you're going to want to read a tutorial and try some simple experiments
     with your new Python interpreter.
There are currently two major versions of Python available: Python 2 and Python 3. The Python2orPython3 page provides advice on how to decide which one will best suit your needs.
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      * If you've never programmed before, see [BeginnersGuide/NonProgrammers "Python for Non-Programmers"].
      * If you have previous programming experience, consult [BeginnersGuide/Programmers "Python for Programmers"], which lists more advanced tutorials.
      * If English isn't your first language, you might be more comfortable with a tutorial that's been translated into your language. Consult python.org's [/doc/NonEnglish.html list of Non-English resources].
See [[BeginnersGuide/Download]] for instructions to download the correct version of Python.
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At some stage, you'll want to edit and save your program code. Take a look at HowToEditPythonCode for some advice and recommendations.
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  * Once you've read a tutorial, you can browse through
     [/doc/ Python's online documentation].
     It includes [/doc/current/tut/ a tutorial]
     that may be helpful, [/doc/current/lib/ a
     Library Reference] that lists all of the modules that come
     standard with Python, and [/doc/current/ref/ the Language Reference] for a complete (if rather dry) explanation
       of Python's syntax.
== Learning Python ==
Next, read a tutorial and try some simple experiments with your new Python interpreter.
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  * Most Python books will include an introduction; see [IntroductoryBooks the book list]
       for suggested titles.
  * Consult the [BeginnersGuide/Examples "Examples and Sample Code"] page for small
       programs and little snippets of code that can help you learn.
  * Need help from a human? Read [BeginnersGuide/help.html "Getting Help"] for
       mailing lists and newsgroups.
  * Or, you can pay for [BeginnersGuide/Courses a Python course].
  * Teachers can join the [/sigs/edu-sig/ EDU-SIG],
     a mailing list for discussion of
     Python's use in teaching at any level ranging from K-12 up to
     university.
 * If you have never programmed before, see BeginnersGuide/NonProgrammers for a list of suitable tutorials.
 * If you have previous programming experience, consult [[BeginnersGuide/Programmers]], which lists more advanced tutorials.
 * If English isn't your first language, you might be more comfortable with a tutorial that's been translated into your language. Consult python.org's [[Languages|list of Non-English resources]].

Most tutorials assume that you know how to run a program on your computer. If you are using Windows and need help with this, see [[http://www.python.org/doc/faq/windows/#how-do-i-run-a-python-program-under-windows|How do I Run a Program Under Windows]]. There are also sites that offer in-browser coding for those who want to learn Python: see [[https://www.codecademy.com/learn/learn-python|Codecademy]] for general python and [[http://www.datacamp.com|DataCamp]] or [[https://www.dataquest.io|Dataquest]] for Python for data science.

Once you have read a tutorial, you can browse through [[http://docs.python.org|Python's online documentation]]. It includes [[http://docs.python.org/tut/|a tutorial]] that might come in handy, [[http://docs.python.org//lib/|a Library Reference]] that lists all of the modules that come standard with Python, and [[http://docs.python.org/ref/|the Language Reference]] for a complete (if rather dry) explanation of Python's syntax.

When you are ready to write your first program, you will need a [[PythonEditors|text editor]] or an [[IntegratedDevelopmentEnvironments|IDE]]. If you don't want to use Thonny or something more advanced, then you can use [[https://docs.python.org/3/library/idle.html|IDLE]], which is bundled with Python and supports [[http://idlex.sourceforge.net|extensions]].

== Need Help? ==
Need help with any of this? Read [[BeginnersGuide/Help]] for mailing lists and newsgroups.

Most Python books will include an introduction to the language; see IntroductoryBooks for suggested titles.

Consult [[BeginnersGuide/Examples]] for small programs and little snippets of code that can help you learn.

Or, if you prefer to learn Python through listening to a lecture, you can attend a training course or even hire a trainer to come to your company. Consult the PythonEvents page to see if any training courses are scheduled in your area, and the PythonTraining page for a list of trainers.

Teachers can join the [[http://www.python.org/sigs/edu-sig/|EDU-SIG]], a mailing list for discussion of Python's use in teaching at any level ranging from K-12 up to university.

== Complete list of Beginner's Guide pages ==
<<PageList(BeginnersGuide/)>>

== Quiz and Exercises ==
 * Finxter - [[https://finxter.com|Test and Training with a Daily Python Puzzle]]
 * CheckIO - [[http://www.checkio.org|Online learning, testing and improving your python skills]]
 * After Hours Programming - [[http://www.afterhoursprogramming.com/tutorial/Python/Python-Quiz/|Python Quiz]]
 * Python Guru Quiz- [[http://thepythonguru.com/python-guru-quiz/|Python Quiz]]
 * Pyschools - [[http://www.pyschools.com|A Collection of Python Quiz and Exercise Questions]]
 * PyGUI - [[http://www.pythongui.com | Collection of python quiz answers,Examples And GUI Tkinter Tutorials For Beginners]]
 * Pythonspot - [[https://pythonspot.com/python-tests-quizes/|Python Quiz]]
 * Python Challenge - [[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=sg.apps.garden.pythonchallenge|A Python Quiz App on Android Platform]]
 * [[http://cscircles.cemc.uwaterloo.ca|CS Circles - online lessons and graded exercises]]
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 * The first place to look is the [[http://pypi.python.org/pypi|Python Package Index]].
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* The first place to look is the [/pypi/ Python Package Index].  * If you can't find anything relevant in the Package Index,
 try [[http://www.python.org/search/|searching python.org]] - you can find anything mentioned on the Python site, in the [[http://www.python.org/doc/faq/|FAQs]], or in the newsgroup. More info: [[http://www.python.org/search/|where to search]].
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* If you can't find anything relevant in the Package Index,
  try [/search/ searching python.org] - you can
  find anything mentioned on the Python site, in the [/doc/faq/ FAQs], or in the
  newsgroup. More info: [/search/#help where to
  search].
 * You may also try our external guest project, [[http://pydoc.net/|pydoc.net]], for advanced package and module search.
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* Next, try [http://www.google.com Google] or other
 
search engine of your choice.  Searching for "python" and some relevant keywords will usually find something helpful.
 * Next, try [[http://www.google.com|Google]] or other search engine of your choice. Searching for "python" and some relevant keywords will usually find something helpful.
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* Finally, you can try posting a query to the comp.lang.python Usenet group.

 * Finally, you can try posting a query to the comp.lang.python Usenet group.
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 * Python is a product of the [[http://www.python.org/psf/|Python Software Foundation]], a non-profit organization that holds the copyright. [[http://www.python.org/psf/donations/|Donations to the PSF]] are tax-deductible in the USA, and you can donate via credit card or PayPal.
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 * Python is a product of the [/psf/ Python Software Foundation], a non-profit organization that holds the copyright. [/psf/donations.html Donations to the PSF] are
tax-deductible in the USA, and you can donate via credit card or
PayPal.
 * To report a bug in the Python core, use the [[http://bugs.python.org/|Python Bug Tracker]].
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* To report a bug in the Python core, use the [http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?group_id=5470&atid=105470 Python Bug Tracker] at SourceForge.  * To contribute a bug fix or other patch to the Python core, read the [[http://www.python.org/dev/|Python Developer's Guide]] for more information about Python's development process.
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* To contribute a bug fix or other patch to the Python
core, read the [/dev/ Python Developer's Guide]
for more information about Python's development process.
 * To contribute to the official [[http://www.python.org/doc/|Python documentation]], join the [[http://www.python.org/sigs/doc-sig/|Documentation SIG]], write to docs@python.org , or use the [[http://bugs.python.org/|Issue Tracker]] to contribute a documentation patch.
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* To contribute to the official [/doc/ Python
documentation], join the [/sigs/doc-sig/ Documentation SIG], write to docs@python.org, or use the [http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?group_id=5470&atid=305470 Patch Manager] to contribute a documentation patch.
 * To announce your module or application to the Python community, use [[news:comp.lang.python.announce|comp.lang.python.announce]]. See [[http://www.python.org/community/lists/#comp-lang-python-announce|the guide to Python mailing lists]] for more information.
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* To announce your module or application to the Python community,
use [news:comp.lang.python.announce comp.lang.python.announce]. See
[/community/lists.html#comp-lang-python-announce the guide to Python mailing lists] for more information.
 * To propose changes to the python core, post your thoughts to [[news:comp.lang.python|comp.lang.python]]. If you have an implementation, follow the [[http://www.python.org/patches/|Python Patch Guidelines]].
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* To propose changes to the python core, post your thoughts to [news:comp.lang.python comp.lang.python]. If you have an
implementation, follow the [/patches/ Python Patch Guidelines].
 * If you have a question are not sure where to report it, check out the [[WhereDoIReportThis?]] page.
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== Did we miss your concern? ==

Please add a comment to this page.
----
CategoryDocumentation

Beginner's Guide to Python

New to programming? Python is free and easy to learn if you know where to start! This guide will help you to get started quickly.

Chinese Translation

New to Python?

Read BeginnersGuide/Overview for a short explanation of what Python is.

Getting Python

Next, install the Python interpreter on your computer. This is the program that reads Python programs and carries out their instructions; you need it before you can do any Python programming. Mac OSX distributions from 10.3 (Panther) and up include a version of Python, which may be suitable for beginning despite being as much as two years out of date. Linux distributions also frequently include Python, which is readily upgraded.

There are also Python interpreter and IDE bundles available, such as Thonny. Other options can be found at IntegratedDevelopmentEnvironments.

There are currently two major versions of Python available: Python 2 and Python 3. The Python2orPython3 page provides advice on how to decide which one will best suit your needs.

See BeginnersGuide/Download for instructions to download the correct version of Python.

At some stage, you'll want to edit and save your program code. Take a look at HowToEditPythonCode for some advice and recommendations.

Learning Python

Next, read a tutorial and try some simple experiments with your new Python interpreter.

Most tutorials assume that you know how to run a program on your computer. If you are using Windows and need help with this, see How do I Run a Program Under Windows. There are also sites that offer in-browser coding for those who want to learn Python: see Codecademy for general python and DataCamp or Dataquest for Python for data science.

Once you have read a tutorial, you can browse through Python's online documentation. It includes a tutorial that might come in handy, a Library Reference that lists all of the modules that come standard with Python, and the Language Reference for a complete (if rather dry) explanation of Python's syntax.

When you are ready to write your first program, you will need a text editor or an IDE. If you don't want to use Thonny or something more advanced, then you can use IDLE, which is bundled with Python and supports extensions.

Need Help?

Need help with any of this? Read BeginnersGuide/Help for mailing lists and newsgroups.

Most Python books will include an introduction to the language; see IntroductoryBooks for suggested titles.

Consult BeginnersGuide/Examples for small programs and little snippets of code that can help you learn.

Or, if you prefer to learn Python through listening to a lecture, you can attend a training course or even hire a trainer to come to your company. Consult the PythonEvents page to see if any training courses are scheduled in your area, and the PythonTraining page for a list of trainers.

Teachers can join the EDU-SIG, a mailing list for discussion of Python's use in teaching at any level ranging from K-12 up to university.

Complete list of Beginner's Guide pages

Quiz and Exercises

Looking for a particular Python module or application?

  • The first place to look is the Python Package Index.

  • If you can't find anything relevant in the Package Index,

    try searching python.org - you can find anything mentioned on the Python site, in the FAQs, or in the newsgroup. More info: where to search.

  • You may also try our external guest project, pydoc.net, for advanced package and module search.

  • Next, try Google or other search engine of your choice. Searching for "python" and some relevant keywords will usually find something helpful.

  • Finally, you can try posting a query to the comp.lang.python Usenet group.

Want to contribute?


CategoryDocumentation

BeginnersGuide (last edited 2023-08-29 20:15:52 by eriky)

Unable to edit the page? See the FrontPage for instructions.