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.
New to Python?
Read BeginnersGuide/Overview for a short explanation of what Python is.
Getting Python
Next, install the Python 3 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 Mac and Linux distributions may include an outdated version of Python (Python 2), but you should install an updated one (Python 3). See BeginnersGuide/Download for instructions to download the correct version of Python.
There are also Python interpreter and IDE bundles available, such as Thonny. Other options can be found at IntegratedDevelopmentEnvironments.
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.
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 list of Non-English resources.
Most tutorials assume you know how to run a program on your computer. If you are using Windows and need help with this, see Codecademy
HackInScience free and open source platform.
a tutorial that might come in handy, extensions.
This Python wiki also contains a page about Python One-Liners -- an obscure but interesting subculture in Python.
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
- BeginnersGuide/Download
- BeginnersGuide/Examples
- BeginnersGuide/Help
- BeginnersGuide/Mathematics
- BeginnersGuide/NonProgrammers
- BeginnersGuide/NonProgrammersChinese
- BeginnersGuide/Overview
- BeginnersGuide/OverviewChinese
- BeginnersGuide/Programmers
- BeginnersGuide/Programmers (Cpp2Python.pdf)
- BeginnersGuide/Programmers/SimpleExamples
Quiz and Exercises
Finxter - Collection of python quiz answers, Examples And GUI Tkinter Tutorials For Beginners
Pythonspot - CS Circles - online lessons and graded exercises
Python Style Checker
Pythonchecker.com - An educative online tool to rate your Python style (with dynamic score computation and hints)
Looking for a particular Python module or application?
The first place to look is the where to search.
You may also try our external guest project, Google or another 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.
Python-Related Cheat Sheets
Want to contribute?
Python is a product of the Python Developer's Guide for more information about Python's development process.
To contribute to the official Issue Tracker to contribute a documentation patch.
To announce your module or application to the Python community, use Python Patch Guidelines.
If you have a question are not sure where to report it, check out the WhereDoIReportThis? page.