Learn Python Programming
Start with getting started, installation, and core basics. Clear explanations and practical examples to help you learn faster.
Install Python on Ubuntu / Linux
Most Linux distributions include Python 3 by default. Ubuntu 20.04+ ships with Python 3.8+. Here's how to check, install, or upgrade Python on Ubuntu and Debian-based systems.
Check if Python is Already Installed
# Check Python 3 version
python3 --version
# Output: Python 3.10.12 (or similar)
# Check pip
pip3 --version
# If not installed: "pip3: command not found"Install or Update Python 3
# Update package list
sudo apt update
# Install Python 3 and pip
sudo apt install python3 python3-pip python3-venv
# Verify
python3 --version
pip3 --version
# Install a specific version (e.g., 3.12) using deadsnakes PPA
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:deadsnakes/ppa
sudo apt update
sudo apt install python3.12 python3.12-venv python3.12-devSet Up a Virtual Environment
# Create a project directory
mkdir myproject && cd myproject
# Create virtual environment
python3 -m venv venv
# Activate it
source venv/bin/activate
# Your prompt changes: (venv) user@machine:~/myproject$
# Now install packages into this isolated environment
pip install flask requests pandas
# Deactivate when done
deactivateVirtual environments are essential on Linux because system Python packages are managed by apt. Installing with pip globally can conflict with system packages. Always use a venv for project dependencies.
First Program
#!/usr/bin/env python3
# The shebang line above lets you run the script directly: ./hello.py
import platform
print(f"Hello from {platform.system()} {platform.release()}!")
print(f"Python {platform.python_version()}")
print("Installation complete!")$ python3 hello.py Hello from Linux 5.15.0-91-generic! Python 3.10.12 Installation complete!
Make Scripts Executable
# Make a Python script executable directly
chmod +x hello.py
# Now you can run without typing python3
./hello.py
# The #!/usr/bin/env python3 shebang tells the OS which interpreter to useTroubleshooting
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
pip3: command not found | sudo apt install python3-pip |
externally-managed-environment error (Ubuntu 23.04+) | Always use a virtual environment: python3 -m venv venv |
| Need newer Python than apt provides | Use deadsnakes PPA: sudo add-apt-repository ppa:deadsnakes/ppa |
ModuleNotFoundError after install | Ensure you installed the package in the active venv, not globally |
| Permission denied | Use --user flag or activate a virtual environment |
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common Python getting-started questions
Python Programming Tutorial — Learn Python from Scratch
Python is the world's most popular programming language for beginners, data science, AI/ML, web development, and automation. This tutorial teaches Python step-by-step with clear explanations and runnable code examples. You can try every example in our free Python Compiler without installing anything.
Each topic builds on the previous one, starting from installation and Hello World through advanced concepts like decorators, generators, and file I/O. Whether you are a complete beginner or refreshing specific skills, every page gives you immediately usable code.
What This Tutorial Covers
- Getting Started: Install Python, run online, Hello World
- Basics: Variables, data types, type conversion, input/output
- Operators: Arithmetic, comparison, logical, assignment
- Control Flow: if/elif/else, for loops, while, break/continue
- Data Structures: Lists, tuples, sets, dictionaries
- Strings: Methods, slicing, formatting, f-strings
- Functions: Parameters, return values, *args, **kwargs, scope
- OOP: Classes, objects, inheritance, polymorphism
- File I/O: Reading, writing, CSV, JSON handling
- Exceptions: try/except, custom exceptions, raise
- Advanced: List comprehensions, lambda, generators, decorators
- Modules: import, pip, packages, __name__ == "__main__"
Why Learn Python in 2026?
- #1 most popular language: Ranked first on TIOBE, Stack Overflow, and GitHub for multiple years running.
- AI and Data Science: The primary language for machine learning (TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn), data analysis (Pandas, NumPy), and AI development.
- Web development: Django and Flask power backends at companies like Instagram, Spotify, and Pinterest.
- Automation: Automate files, emails, web scraping, reports, and system administration tasks in minutes.
- Beginner-friendly: Clean syntax with enforced indentation makes code readable from day one — no curly braces or semicolons.
- Massive job market: Python developers are in high demand across tech, finance, healthcare, and research.
Python vs Other Languages
| Feature | Python | Java | JavaScript | C++ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Syntax | Very clean, readable | Verbose | Moderate | Complex |
| Typing | Dynamic, strong | Static, strong | Dynamic, weak | Static, strong |
| Speed | Slower (interpreted) | Fast (JIT) | Fast (V8 JIT) | Fastest (native) |
| Best For | AI/ML, data, automation | Enterprise, Android | Web frontend/backend | Systems, games |
| Learning Time | 2–4 weeks basics | 4–6 weeks basics | 3–4 weeks basics | 8–12 weeks basics |
How to Get Started
- Run Python online: Use our free Python Compiler — no installation needed.
- Install locally: Download Python 3 from
python.org(Windows/Mac) or useapt install python3(Linux). - Verify: Run
python3 --versionin your terminal to confirm installation. - Choose an editor: VS Code with Python extension (free), PyCharm Community (free), or Jupyter Notebook for data science.
- Follow this tutorial in order: Start from Introduction and work through each topic sequentially.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Python is designed to be beginner-friendly. This tutorial starts from absolute zero and builds up gradually.
Python 3.10+ is recommended. Python 2 reached end-of-life in 2020. All examples in this tutorial use Python 3 syntax.
Basics (syntax, loops, functions) take 2–4 weeks. Intermediate (OOP, file I/O, modules) adds 3–4 weeks. Specialisation (Django, data science, ML) takes another 2–3 months.
Yes, completely free. No account, no sign-up. All topics and examples available without restriction.
Who Is This For?
Complete beginners choosing their first programming language. Students in CS courses needing a Python reference. Data analysts transitioning from Excel to Python (Pandas). Self-taught developers adding Python to their skill set. Professionals automating repetitive tasks. Anyone preparing for Python coding interviews.