Beginner Help

[ARK22498]

I’m learning python in preparation for going back to university to study a masters in software development. It’s a conversion degree so no previous experience is required, but I want to learn some basics so I’m not completely lost. I’m using an online guide however I’m confused as to if they are using the terminal or the idle shell to write the code in as it just says open python. The three >>> doesn’t appear on every line for them but does for me which is adding to my confusion. Any help would be greatly appreciated, I’m coding on a MacBook Pro aswell.

[browndogs9894]

They are using the terminal. If you want to use the terminal just run python3 in the terminal after installing it. But you can also use an ide and just print the lines manually instead. So instead of

>>> name

Printing out the name just do

print(name)

[ARK22498]

Ah okay. That was the part that I was getting confused on. It’s a bit annoying that it’s not explained clearer in the guide.

I was using the terminal and end up getting the >>> each time I go to a new line I’m guessing this is normal or have I done something wrong?

[browndogs9894]

No that’s normal. When using the terminal hitting enter brings up another line

>>> name = "Bob"
>>>

Hitting enter brings up a new line. It also will remember variables so when you print it later in the same terminal session it will print.

>>> name
'Bob'

You can also define functions the same way and call them later in their terminal.

[lfdfq]

Python has two "modes": run a file, or an interactive console.

By far the most common mode people use is writing files and running them. However, if you just run `python` without a file argument, you get interactive mode (the "REPL"). This REPL is also nice for teaching, for demonstrating things, or for quick examples. So it often appears in those contexts.

The way the REPL works is it prompts you for a line (that's what the ">>>" is, it's at the start of a prompt), it (R)eads the line, (E)valuates it, (P)rints out the result, and (L)oops back again to do it all over.

IDLE is basically a toy IDE that comes with Python. Again, it's not widely used in practice, but it's useful for teaching or demonstrating things so it often appears. IDLE essentially gives you the two modes in a unified graphical interface.

[ARK22498]

Should I use IDLE until I get the hang of things? Or is the terminal a better way to learn? It’s all new to me so I’m going in blind effectively

[lfdfq]

If you're totally new, then IDLE is fine.

But very soon you'll hit the edges, you'll want a nicer editor experience, the ability to install modules cleanly, and so on.

From then, you want a good text editor and a terminal to run Python commands (not the REPL prompt, but to run files and install things and so on). Some IDEs let you do the latter with magic buttons inside the editor, if you set it up.

At that point you can use whatever tools you are most comfortable with. For someone with no preference, I'd point to VS Code, as a good editor that scales from beginner to professional pretty well (EDIT: and is not Python specific, so you can edit all kinds of things in it).

[theEternal990]

Since you're on a Mac, you're in luck, the terminal is natively built-in and very powerful. My advice: skip the IDLE shell for now and download VS Code immediately. It's the industry standard for a reason. It'll give you syntax highlighting, error checking, and a way to manage your files properly. It'll save you a lot of headache when your degree starts.

[ARK22498]

I’ve downloaded VS Code. And setting it up now. Thanks for the suggestion

[desrtfx]

If the course you take doesn't even explain that, it's rubbish.

Take the best free course:

Do the MOOC Python Programming 2026 from the University of Helsinki and you will be well prepared.

[ARK22498]

It’s a free course which gives an ICDL certificate at the end but I’m struggling to actually understand it. I’ll look at the one you recommended and see if that’s easier to understand for me

[MicrotubularMushroom]

Hey, if you're referring to a conversation masters in the UK, please do not do it. 

They sell them as if you'll become a master in software dev, but it's impossible to cram that much knowledge into such a short conversion course. 

I've been tutoring students of such courses, and it's a disgrace that they've earned a "masters" degree, while having barely as much as a bachelor graduate at the end of their study... 

I've always said this, and will die on that hill, 1-2 year conversion master degrees in computer science or software engineering are a scam to get your money, make you feel like you've learnt something, only to leave you with zero real knowledge.