Python Hello World: Writing and Running Your First Script with VSCode

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Python is a versatile and powerful programming language, renowned for its simplicity and readability. If you’re new to Python, writing and running a “Hello, World!” script is an excellent way to begin your programming journey. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of creating a Python “Hello, World!” script using popular editors like Visual Studio Code (VSCode).

Setting Up Your Python Environment

Before you start writing your Python script, it’s essential to set up your development environment. Follow these steps to install Python and set up Visual Studio Code (VSCode) as your editor:

  1. Download and install Python from the official Python website. Ensure that you select the option to add Python to your system’s PATH during the installation process.
  2. Download and install Visual Studio Code (VSCode), a popular and feature-rich code editor.
  3. Open VSCode and install the Python extension from the marketplace to enable Python-specific features and functionality.

Writing Your First Python Script: Hello, World!

With your Python environment set up, you’re now ready to write your first Python script. Follow these steps to create a “Hello, World!” script using VSCode:

  1. Open VSCode and create a new file by clicking on “File” > “New File” or using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+N (Windows) or Cmd+N (Mac).
  2. In the new file, type the following code:
print("Hello, World!")
  1. Save the file with a .py extension, for example, hello_world.py. This tells VSCode that the file contains Python code.

Running Your Python Script

Once you’ve written your “Hello, World!” script, it’s time to run it. Follow these steps to execute your Python script in VSCode:

  1. Ensure that the Python interpreter is correctly set in VSCode. You can check this by looking at the status bar in the lower-left corner, which should display the Python version you installed earlier. If not, click on the version displayed and select the correct interpreter from the list.
  2. Open the hello_world.py file you created earlier.
  3. To run the script, click on the green play button in the top-right corner of the editor or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+F10 (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+F10 (Mac).
  4. The output of your script, “Hello, World!”, should appear in the VSCode terminal at the bottom of the window.

Popular Python Editors

While we’ve focused on Visual Studio Code in this article, there are several other popular editors you can use for Python development:

  1. PyCharm – A powerful and feature-rich Python IDE developed by JetBrains.
  2. Sublime Text – A lightweight and customizable text editor with Python support through plugins.
  3. Atom – An open-source, extensible text editor with built-in Python support and numerous packages for enhancing functionality.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve successfully written and executed your first Python “Hello, World!” script using Visual Studio Code. As you continue to learn Python, consider exploring other editors and tools to find the ones that best suit your needs and preferences. If you need assistance incorporating Python automation into your business workflow, Random Linux LLC is available to help. With a solid foundation in Python programming, you’re well on your way to developing more complex and powerful applications. Remember to experiment with different Python libraries, frameworks, and best practices as you expand your skills and knowledge in this versatile and popular programming language. Happy coding!

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