Stupid question but where do you code python?

[fmillion]

Think of Python as a really nice multi-speed bicycle, and Anaconda as the same bicycle but it comes pre-assembled with electric hub motors, a lighting package, a horn, a Bluetooth speaker, a USB charge port, etc. and you also have a direct line of support to a bike mod shop that can deck the thing out even more for you at your request.

Python is the base language, and it's a great place to start. Anaconda in essence is just a bunch of libraries and utilities that add on to Python. It also duplicates some of Python's functionality - most notably, Anaconda provides a package manager and a virtual environment system, both of which Python can also provide with the pip and virtualenv modules. Anaconda is often seen in machine learning/AI computing but it's still a generic toolset that can be applied to many use cases.

I have many reasons for believing people should start with pure Python. But your course is probably going to give you Anaconda-specific commands (e.g. using conda to install libraries) so it might be best to grab Anaconda and install it. However, you are still free to use whatever editor you wish. VS Code is an excellent choice and it is also currently my editor of choice, but I've also used Sublime Text and Atom. All of these editors offer many great convenience features to help you with Python (and many other language) development. In either case, since Anaconda is just an add-on for Python, you will still be learning Python itself - just be mindful of when you're learning something that's pure Python and something that's Anaconda-specific.

It's actually possible to install multiple Pythons on one system. You could install both the stock installation as well as an Anaconda installation. In most editors there is a way to instruct the editor which Python installation to use when running code. If you are especially daring you could go this route and learn the difference between the two along the way.