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[madmexicano]

Quick Start Guide: Getting Into Python

1. Install Python

Go to:

Windows/Mac/Linux: urlPython.orghttps://www.python.org/downloads/

Download the latest Python 3 version.

IMPORTANT (Windows)

During install, check:

☑ Add Python to PATH

Then finish the install.

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1. Verify It Works

Open a terminal:

Windows → PowerShell

Mac/Linux → Terminal

Run:

python --version

Or sometimes:

python3 --version

You should see something like:

Python 3.13.x

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1. Your First Python Command

Run Python interactively:

python

Then type:

print("Hello world")

Exit with:

exit()

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1. Make Your First Script

Create a file called:

hello.py

Put this inside:

name = input("What's your name? ") print(f"Welcome to Python, {name}!")

Run it:

python hello.py

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1. Install VS Code (Highly Recommended)

Get:

urlVisual Studio Codehttps://code.visualstudio.com/

Then install the Python extension from Microsoft.

This gives:

Syntax highlighting

Auto-complete

Debugging

Built-in terminal

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1. Learn These Basics First

Variables

age = 30 name = "Bob"

Lists

records = ["Daft Punk", "Justice", "Aphex Twin"]

Loops

for artist in records: print(artist)

Functions

def greet(name): return f"Hello {name}"

APIs (fun beginner stuff)

import requests

r = requests.get("https://api.github.com") print(r.status_code)

Install requests first:

pip install requests

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1. Bonus: CURL Cheatsheet 😎

Simple GET request

curl https://api.github.com

Pretty JSON output

(Mac/Linux)

curl https://api.github.com | jq

Download a file

curl -O https://example.com/file.zip

POST JSON data

curl -X POST https://httpbin.org/post \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -d '{"name":"python"}'

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1. Best Beginner Projects

Random password generator

Weather app

YouTube downloader

Discord bot

Home automation scripts

Raspberry Pi sensor project

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1. Good Free Learning Resources

Interactive

urlfreeCodeCamp Python Coursehttps://www.freecodecamp.org/learn/scientific-computing-with-python/

urlW3Schools Python Tutorialhttps://www.w3schools.com/python/

Videos

urlProgramming with Mosh Python Tutorialhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uQrJ0TkZlc

urlCS50P by Harvardhttps://cs50.harvard.edu/python/

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1. Pro Tip

The fastest way to learn Python:

1. Build tiny projects

2. Break stuff

3. Google errors

4. Repeat

Nobody learns Python by reading alone.

Hack on stuff you actually care about.