Getting Started with Python: Installation and First Program
Getting Started with Python: Installation and First Program
What are the key differences between Python 2 and Python 3, and why should beginners focus on Python 3?
How can a beginner leverage Python’s extensive library ecosystem to accelerate learning and project development?
What common pitfalls should new Python programmers avoid when writing their first programs?
Python’s rise as a versatile, beginner-friendly programming language stems from its clear syntax, robust community, and wide applicability in fields like data science, web development, and automation. For those embarking on their coding journey, installing Python and writing a first program are foundational steps that demystify programming and build confidence. This guide outlines the process of setting up Python and creating a simple program, emphasizing clarity and logical progression.
To begin, installing Python is straightforward but requires attention to detail. Visit the official Python website (python.org) and download the latest version of Python 3, as Python 2 is no longer supported. During installation, ensure the option to add Python to your system’s PATH is selected—this allows you to run Python from the command line effortlessly. For Windows users, the installer simplifies this process; on macOS or Linux, Python is often pre-installed, but updating to the latest version is recommended. After installation, open a terminal or command prompt and type python --version to confirm the setup. If the version number appears, Python is ready.
Next, choose a coding environment. Beginners often start with IDLE, Python’s built-in integrated development environment, which is lightweight and intuitive. Alternatively, Visual Studio Code or PyCharm offers more features, such as debugging tools, but may feel complex initially. The choice depends on comfort level—IDLE suffices for simple programs, while advanced environments support larger projects.
Now, let’s write a first Python program: the classic “Hello, World!” example. Open IDLE and create a new file. Type the following:
python
print("Hello, World!")
Save the file with a .py extension, such as hello.py, and run it by pressing F5 in IDLE or typing python hello.py in the terminal. The output, “Hello, World!”, appears instantly. This program demonstrates Python’s print() function, which outputs text to the console. Its simplicity belies its importance—running this code confirms that Python is correctly installed and the coding environment is functional.
Why start with such a basic program “‘Hello, World!’” serves as a universal entry point because it introduces core concepts without overwhelming beginners. It showcases Python’s readability, where code mirrors natural language, and it verifies the development setup. However, some argue that starting with more complex programs, like a calculator, accelerates learning by exposing beginners to variables and logic early. While this approach has merit, it risks discouraging novices who may struggle with syntax errors or conceptual leaps. The simplicity of “Hello, World!” ensures immediate success, fostering motivation to explore further.
To expand on this foundation, try modifying the program. For example, prompt the user for their name:
This introduces input(), variables, and f-strings for string formatting, building on the initial program logically. Such exercises bridge basic syntax to practical applications, preparing beginners for more complex tasks.
In conclusion, installing Python and writing a first program are accessible steps that lay the groundwork for coding proficiency. By starting simple, verifying the setup, and gradually introducing new concepts, beginners can build confidence and curiosity. Python’s elegance lies in its ability to scale from “Hello, World!” to sophisticated projects, making these initial steps a gateway to endless possibilities.
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Python 入門：安裝與第一個程式
Python 2 與 Python 3 的主要差異為何，新手為何應專注於 Python 3？
初學者如何利用 Python 豐富的程式庫生態系統來加速學習與專案開發？
新手在撰寫第一個 Python 程式時應避免哪些常見錯誤 錯誤？
Python 因其簡潔的語法、活躍的社群以及在資料科學、網頁開發和自動化等領域的廣泛應用，成為初學者友好的程式語言。對剛開始學習程式設計的人來說，安裝 Python 並撰寫第一個程式是基礎步驟，能幫助消除對程式設計的陌生感並建立信心。本文將介紹如何設定 Python 環境並創建一個簡單程式，強調邏輯清晰與步驟明確。
首先，安裝 Python 簡單但需注意細節。請造訪官方網站（python.org），下載最新的 Python 3 版本，因為 Python 2 已不再支援。安裝時，務必勾選將 Python 加入系統 PATH 的選項，這樣就能在命令列輕鬆執行 Python。Windows 使用者可透過安裝程式輕鬆完成；macOS 或 Linux 通常已預裝 Python，但建議更新至最新版本。安裝完成後，開啟終端機或命令提示字元，輸入 python --version 檢查版本。若顯示版本號，Python 已準備就緒。
接下來，選擇程式撰寫環境。初學者常使用 Python 自帶的 IDLE，這是一個輕量且直觀的整合開發環境。或者，Visual Studio Code 或 PyCharm 提供更多功能，如除錯工具，但對新手可能稍顯複雜。選擇取決於個人舒適度—IDLE 適合簡單程式，而進階環境適用於大型專案。
現在，來撰寫第一個 Python 程式：經典的 “Hello, World!”。開啟 IDLE，創建新檔案，輸入以下程式碼：
將檔案儲存為 .py 副檔名，例如 hello.py，然後在 IDLE 中按 F5 或在終端機輸入 python hello.py 執行。螢幕將立即顯示 “Hello, World!”。這個程式展示 Python 的 print() 函數，用於將文字輸出到控制台。其簡單性蘊含重要意義—執行此程式可確認 Python 安裝正確且程式環境正常運作。
為何從如此簡單的程式開始？“Hello, World!” 是通用的入門程式，因其能在不讓初學者感到壓力下介紹核心概念。它展現 Python 的可讀性，程式碼接近自然語言，且能驗證開發環境的設定。然而，有些人認為從更複雜的程式（如計算器）開始，能讓初學者更快接觸變數與邏輯。雖然此方法有其價值，但可能因語法錯誤或概念跳躍讓新手感到挫敗。“Hello, World!” 的簡單性能確保立即成功，激發進一步探索的動機。
要擴展基礎，可嘗試修改程式。例如，提示使用者輸入姓名：
這引入了 input()、變數和 f-string 字串格式化，循序漸進地建構在初始程式之上。此類練習將基本語法與實際應用連結，為更複雜的任務做準備。
總之，安裝 Python 並撰寫第一個程式是通往程式設計熟練的平易近人步驟。從簡單開始、驗證環境設定並逐步引入新概念，初學者能建立信心與好奇心。Python 的優雅在於其從 “Hello, World!” 到複雜專案的擴展能力，使這些初步步驟成為無限可能的起點。
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