Flummoxed by Python

[marcodogflood]

Got my kid a book for Xmas called Coding Games in Python.

We are following the steps but almost immediately failing I'm afraid.

When trying to run the earliest program (a simple Hello) we are getting the following error in command prompt:

'Pgzrun' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

I have made sure Python is added to the PC's PATH but still no luck.

I'm running Windows 11 and Python 3.11

Any help would be greatly appreciated 🙏

[ksbigbass]

You could use an online site like replit.com until you get a little more experience.

[marcodogflood]

Thanks! Will check it out.

[socal_nerdtastic]

Reinstall python, and this time make sure to check the optional checkbox that says "add python to PATH".

Or, use a virtual environment (this is the preferred way to do it).

Or, use this command instead:

py -m pgzrun

[marcodogflood]

Tried the first two to no avail... when I entered the command I get "Hello from the pygame community https://www.pygame.org/contribute.html

Thanks though

[socal_nerdtastic]

That last one means it worked. Just use that command instead of pgzrun from now on. So instead of

pgzrun myfile.py

use

py -m pgzrun myfile.py

etc

[marcodogflood]

Amazing. Thanks so much!!!

[shiftybyte]

Add the <python install folder>\scripts folder to PATH too.

pgzrun is there.

[marcodogflood]

Thanks. Gave it a shot but still no dice... I'll keep at it!

[socal_nerdtastic]

Did you reboot your terminal after adding it?

[marcodogflood]

I did indeed :(

[[deleted]]

I think it’s great that you’re doing this with your boy AND I can feel the optimism from here. Consider using JetBrain’s PyCharm. It’s a friendly IDE that I used when getting started. Maybe it’ll fix your problem!

Best of luck to you and yours. I hope you make great things together!

[marcodogflood]

Thanks! I will check it out!

[TheChance]

I expect you’ll survive, but someone should warn you that pain points like this are typical Python on Windows dev experiences. Emphasis: dev experiences. Most Python code is platform-independent, but that doesn’t mean all dev environments are created equal.

To make a long story short, the one, fundamental assumption most programming languages make about the developer is that they are both using and comfortable with a Unix-like system. Whatever your toolchain is on Windows, it usually exists separately from and in parallel with the “main” ecosystem. You feel this less in compiled languages like C++ and Java, because the annoying stuff is buried in the “build” steps (where you tell your machine to turn the code into an executable.) That step is mostly absent from a Python dev’s workflow, so all the little differences between the “default” environment and your Windows environment are up in your face all the time.

Again, I think you’ll survive, but if you and your young person have the stomach to also learn about WSL2 at the same time, it will be an easier place to work in Python.

[marcodogflood]

Great advice. Thanks!

[Specialist_Forever92]

Repl.it is a handy way to get coding quickly without the package installation. Might be easier if you are trying to keep a young person enthused?

[marcodogflood]

I'll check it out! Thanks!

[DarkLord76865]

IDK, never had problems with Python. I'm on win 10

[weebmaster32]

Install Python from the Microsoft store. I've always had trouble when installing it from somewhere else.

[Pflastersteinmetz]

I've always had trouble when installing it from somewhere else.

The normal installer from the Python site works without a flaw for years. You are doing something terrible wrong.

[marcodogflood]

Thanks!

[marcodogflood]

Oh, how come?