Complete beginner-friendly Python setup guide
Download → Install → Verify → pip → VS Code → First Program → Virtual Environment → NumPy
- Python downloaded
- Python installed
- Python version verified
- pip verified
- VS Code installed
- Python Extension installed
- Python Interpreter selected
- First Python program created
- First Python program executed
- Virtual Environment created
- NumPy installed
- NumPy tested
Python is a high-level, general-purpose programming language.
Python is commonly used for:
- Programming
- Web Development
- Data Analysis
- Artificial Intelligence
- Machine Learning
- Automation
- Scientific Computing
Python is popular because its syntax is simple and readable.
Always download Python from the official Python website.
Official Website:
Official Download Page:
https://www.python.org/downloads/
- Python official website opened
Open:
https://www.python.org/downloads/
Download the current Python version available for your operating system.
For Windows, follow the current Python.org Windows installation instructions.
- Python download page opened
- Python downloaded
After downloading Python:
- Open the downloaded installer.
- Follow the installation instructions.
- Complete the installation.
- Python installer opened
- Python installation completed
PATH allows Windows to find Python from the terminal.
If the installer provides a PATH-related option, configure it according to the official installation instructions.
- PATH configuration checked
Open:
Command Prompt or PowerShell
Run:
python --version
You can also try:
python -V
On Windows, you can also check:
py --version
A Python version should be displayed.
-
python --versionworks -
python -Vworks -
py --versionworks
Run:
python
The Python interactive shell should open.
You may see:
>>>
Test Python:
print("Hello, Python")
Exit Python:
exit()
- Python interactive shell opened
- Test program executed
- Python shell closed
pip is Python's package-management tool.
Check pip:
python -m pip --version
You can also try:
pip --version
- pip verified
Upgrade pip using:
python -m pip install --upgrade pip
After upgrading, check:
python -m pip --version
- pip upgraded
- pip version checked
Create a folder for your Python programs.
Example:
Python_Programs
A simple project can contain:
Python_Programs/
│
├── hello.py
├── variables.py
├── conditions.py
├── loops.py
├── strings.py
├── lists.py
├── tuples.py
├── sets.py
├── dictionaries.py
└── functions.py
- Python project folder created
Create:
hello.py
Write:
print("Hello, Python")
Save the file.
-
hello.pycreated - Python code written
- File saved
Open Command Prompt or PowerShell.
Move to your project folder.
Example:
cd Python_Programs
Run:
python hello.py
You can also use:
py hello.py
- Project folder opened in terminal
-
hello.pyexecuted successfully
Visual Studio Code is a popular code editor for programming.
Official website:
https://code.visualstudio.com/
- VS Code downloaded
- VS Code installed
Open VS Code.
Go to:
Extensions
Search for:
Python
Install the Python extension provided by Microsoft.
- Python extension found
- Python extension installed
Open your Python project in VS Code.
Select the Python interpreter that you want to use.
- Python interpreter selected
Open your:
Python_Programs
folder in VS Code.
Your Python files should appear in the Explorer panel.
- Project folder opened in VS Code
- Python files visible
Open:
hello.py
Write:
print("Hello, Python")
Run the program using the Run button or the integrated terminal.
- Program opened in VS Code
- Program executed successfully
A virtual environment keeps project packages separated.
Create one using:
python -m venv .venv
This creates:
.venv/
inside the project.
- Virtual environment created
For Windows Command Prompt:
.venv\Scripts\activate
For Windows PowerShell:
.\.venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1
After activation, the environment name may appear in the terminal.
- Virtual environment activated
General command:
python -m pip install package_name
Example:
python -m pip install requests
- Python package installation understood
NumPy is required later in the Python Programming syllabus.
Install NumPy:
python -m pip install numpy
- NumPy installed
Create:
numpy_test.py
Write:
import numpy as np
numbers = np.array([10, 20, 30, 40, 50])
print(numbers)
Run:
python numpy_test.py
-
numpy_test.pycreated - NumPy imported successfully
- NumPy program executed
Run:
python -c "import numpy; print(numpy.__version__)"
- NumPy version displayed
python --version
py --version
python
exit()
python -m pip --version
python -m pip install --upgrade pip
python -m pip install package_name
python -m pip install numpy
python -m venv .venv
Try:
py --version
If Python is installed but the command does not work, check the installation and PATH configuration.
- Python command problem resolved
Try:
python -m pip --version
Instead of:
pip --version
- pip problem resolved
Install NumPy:
python -m pip install numpy
Then test:
python -c "import numpy; print(numpy.__version__)"
- NumPy problem resolved
Check that Python is installed.
Then select the correct Python interpreter in VS Code.
- Correct Python interpreter selected
- Official Python website opened
- Python downloaded
- Python installed
- PATH checked
- Python version verified
- pip verified
- pip upgraded
- VS Code installed
- Python extension installed
- Python interpreter selected
- Python project opened
-
hello.pycreated - Code written
- Program executed successfully
-
.venvcreated -
.venvactivated
- NumPy installed
- NumPy imported
- NumPy test program executed
- NumPy version checked
Python.org
↓
Download Python
↓
Install Python
↓
Check PATH
↓
python --version
↓
Check pip
↓
Install VS Code
↓
Install Python Extension
↓
Select Python Interpreter
↓
Create Project
↓
Create hello.py
↓
Run Program
↓
Create .venv
↓
Activate .venv
↓
Install NumPy
↓
Test NumPy
↓
Python Setup Complete
https://www.python.org/downloads/
https://docs.python.org/3/using/windows.html
https://code.visualstudio.com/
When all boxes are checked, the basic Python development environment is ready.
- Python installed
- Python version verified
- pip working
- VS Code installed
- Python Extension installed
- Python Interpreter selected
- Python project created
- First Python program created
- First Python program executed
- Virtual Environment created
- Virtual Environment activated
- NumPy installed
- NumPy tested
Congratulations! Your Python development environment is ready.
You can now start learning and practicing Python programming.