Python Tutorial — Learn Python Step by Step

# Windows
python --version
# Output: Python 3.12.1

# macOS / Linux
python3 --version
# Output: Python 3.12.1

# Check pip (package manager)
pip --version
# or
pip3 --version
# Output: pip 23.3.1 from /usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/pip (python 3.12)

# Start the Python interactive shell
python3

# You should see something like:
# Python 3.12.1 (main, Dec  7 2023, 20:45:44)
# [GCC 11.4.0] on linux
# Type "help", "copyright" or "exit()" for more information.
# >>>

# Try some commands:
>>> print("Python works!")
Python works!
>>> 2 + 2
4
>>> import sys
>>> sys.version
'3.12.1 (main, Dec  7 2023, 20:45:44) [GCC 11.4.0]'
>>> exit()  # or Ctrl+D to quit

# Create a file called test.py with this content:
import sys

print(f"Python version: {sys.version}")
print(f"Python path: {sys.executable}")
print(f"Platform: {sys.platform}")
print("Installation verified successfully!")

# Check pip version
pip3 --version

# Install a package (requests as example)
pip3 install requests

# Verify it works
python3 -c "import requests; print(requests.__version__)"
# Output: 2.31.0

# List all installed packages
pip3 list

# Create a virtual environment in your project folder
python3 -m venv myproject_env

# Activate it
# macOS/Linux:
source myproject_env/bin/activate
# Windows:
myproject_env\Scripts\activate

# Your prompt changes: (myproject_env) $
# Now pip install goes into this env only
pip install flask pandas numpy

# Deactivate when done
deactivate