Installing Python
At the time of writing this, the current version of Python is 3.8.1.
Python can be installed from https://www.python.org
Hover over the Downloads icon in the task bar at the top of the page, and download the latest version for your operating System.
Once Python has downloaded to your system, activate the installer.
On the first page of the Installer, select the option to 'Add Python to PATH' and then select 'Install Now'. This should install with no errors. This can be checked by opening a Command Prompt (if you're running Windows) and typing: Python
If it successfully installed, it should display some data, including the version number that is currently installed on your system.
Most Linux Distros come with Python already installed. However, if you follow the same method as Windows and type 'Python3' into the Terminal, it should prompt back a similar response of current version installed.
If Python isn't installed, Linux should give you a list of Commands you can type to get the Software installed on your machine.
In this case I'm using Ubuntu, so the Command is: sudo apt install python3
Now, whilst you can create programs in the Terminal/Command Line using Python, it is best to install an IDE (Integrated Development Environment). The reason for this, is because they are better for highlighting errors in the written code and come with a whole host of features that allow for easier writing of code.
The one I'm going to be using for the time being is Notepad++. The Application is suitable for writing code in Python and has colour changes in the writing when Python specific Commands are entered. for example, 'print' changes to red when it is typed in correctly. if I capitalise it, the Command is wrong, and the program will compile with an error message.
Notepad++ is a good IDE as it is available to use on all Platforms. However, there are others available to use and may include certain features not found in other IDEs.
When Python is installed on Windows, it comes with its own IDE called 'IDLE'. This can be found in the Start Menu after the installation is complete.
*NOTE* If you're installing Python on a business machine that has Redirected Start Menu/Desktop, you won't be able to install IDLE directly and may need to use another IDE. This is because of the way the setup works and the installer, installs straight to those locations.
Once Python and your preferred IDE is installed, type the following Command and save the file as Hello.py: print ("Hello World")
The '.py' extension is needed as this is specific to Python and I'm sure you can guess what it represents.
If you write that Code into the Terminal, as soon as you press enter, that code should automatically run.
If you have saved the Code from an IDE, you can run it within that IDE to get back results. As this is only one line of Code, there should be no error messages received when executing.