What Is Python?
Python is a high level programming language. It is readable and easy to learn, open source and has large standard libraries, which help programmers write clear, logical codes for small and large projects.
Why Is Python Useful?
Listed below are some benefits of Python
- It has large standard pre-built libraries.
- It is used in scientific and numeric computing.
- Its readability.
- In addition, it has clean syntax, hence, it takes less time to write.
Areas of application of Python programming language
- Web development
- Desktop GUI applications
- Data analysis and data visualization
- Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
- Game development etc.
Requirements
Anaconda software distribution – Jupyter Notebook.
Installing Anaconda
- Visit the website
- Click on “Download”
- Choose your operating system – Windows, MacOS, Linux
- Download Python 3.7 (32 bit or 64 bit)
- Go to download folder
- Follow the prompt by the Installer
- Launch Anaconda Navigator from your start menu
- Alternatively, launch Jupyter Notebook from the start menu
- Your Jupyter Notebook is ready for use
Jupyter Notebook Interface
Jupyter Notebook is a browser based IDE with very simple interface and one can learn it very quickly.
- The ‘New’ tab is used to open a new Notebook in the format .ipynb.
- To start a new Notebook, click on New and click on Python 3.
- From the Jupyter dashboard, you can upload files, view files in folders or sub folders, rename or navigate through.
- In Jupyter Notebook, codes are run in cells. The cells are used for input and each cell is independent of the other.
- To run a cell, you can click on the Run tab or use Shift + Enter.
- You can switch between cells by using the arrow keys on your keyboard.
- Use the Y key for code and the M key for markdown to switch between code and plain text (Markdown),
- The + sign on the dashboard is used insert a new cell.
- To delete or cut a cell, use the scissors sign on the dashboard of your Jupyter Notebook.
Hello World
Now it’s time to write your first code on python:
In conclusion, Python is a good language to begin your programming journey, you can also get more familiar with the Jupyter Notebook interface by using other text statements to practice.
