How to Write a Basic Python Program

Last Updated: July 28, 2022

Installing Dependencies

|

Downloading and Installing Python

|

Writing the Script

|

Running the Script =

|

Q&A

|

Things You'll Need

Python is a high-level programming language. The language utilizes a straightforward syntax which can make it easy for new users to get started.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Installing Dependencies

1
Open the Terminal. On Linux, you can press the Alt button to open a search bar. Type "terminal" and click on Terminal.
2
Know the commands. Terminal commands are shown in this document as:
- ```
command -options filename.ext
```
- ```
sudo apt-get install build-essential
```
  - The "sudo" command gives permission to the terminal to modify your computer. This is necessary to install any program. You will be required to enter your password.
- The "apt-get install" command tells the computer to install the package "build-essential" which is required to install Python.
- ```
sudo apt-get install libreadline-gplv2-dev libncursesw5-dev libssl-dev libsqlite3-dev tk-dev libgdbm-dev libc6-dev libbz2-dev
```
- These are programs that Python uses to run correctly. They are also known as “dependencies”.

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Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Downloading and Installing Python

1
Download the latest version of Python from the Internet. Use the following command:
- ```
cd ~/Downloads/
```
- The "cd" command changes to the correct working directory so the computer can find and put programs in the right place.
- ```
wget http://python.org/ftp/python/2.7.5/Python-2.7.5.tgz
```
2
Decompress the Python file using the following command:
- ```
tar -xvf Python-2.7.5.tgz
```
- ```
cd Python-2.7.5
```
- Once again, we need to change the working directory. This time, we change to the newly created Python directory.
3
Use the ./configure command checks your computer to ensure you have all the necessary components to install Python. It will alert you of any critical errors.
- ```
./configure
```
4
Use the make command. It compiles the source code and creates the executables.
- ```
make
```
5
Move the applications and libraries. With the following command, all of the applications and libraries associated with Python are moved into the correct places on your computer.
- ```
sudo make install
```

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Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Writing the Script

1
Open a text editor.
- Any text editor that can save files with a ".py" extension will do. Ubuntu 12.04 or greater is packaged with the Gedit editor.
2
Type
print 'Hello, World!'

In Python, whatever is enclosed in quotes after the word print will be printed out to the screen.
3
Save the file as "hello_world.py.
- Be careful that the file is not saved as "hello_world.py.txt".

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Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Running the Script =

1
Open the Terminal again.
2
Navigate to the directory where "hello_world.py" is located.
- Remember to use the "cd" command to change directories.
- If you need a list of all subdirectories at your current location, use the "ls" command. "ls" stands for "list subdirectories".
3
Run the script:
- ```
python hello_world.py
```

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Community Q&A

Question

How can I learn how to use Python as an absolute beginner?

Simeon Watson

Community Answer

Use internet guides or books to teach yourself. This will follow a regular path from newbie to experienced. Usually the path is: print() variables input numbers lists strings. And more.
Question

I am not familiar with lists and tuples. How do i go about it?

Simeon Watson

Community Answer

Start with an online tutorial. If you don't have time for that: here is an explanation: Lists are created this way: listname = []. That creates an empty list. If you want a list containing 1, 8, "hi" and 3.14, you write: listname = [1, 8, "hi", 3.14]. The contents of a list can be canged by the following commands: listname.append(whatever_to_add_to_the_end_of_the_list) listname.remove(watever_to_remove_the_first_occurence_of). Tuples are created this way: tuplename = (). That creates an empty tuple. If you want a tuple containing 1, 8, "hi" and 3.14 you write tuplename = (1, 8, "hi", 3.14). A tuple can not be changed after creation.

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Things You'll Need

Ubuntu 12.04 or greater
Your account password

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About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 9 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 26,598 times.

How helpful is this?

Co-authors: 9

Updated: July 28, 2022

Views: 26,598

Categories: Python

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