1.1 Installing Python and Setting Up PyCharm IDE

Lesson Goals

• Brief discussion of the origins and growth of Python as a programming language
• Install Python 3.x and understand its role in software development
• Be aware of available tools for writing Python code
• Set up the PyCharm IDE and run first Python script
• Begin writing basic scripts with confidence

1. A Short History of Python

Python was created by Guido van Rossum in the late 1980s and released to the public in 1991. He was working at the Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) in the Netherlands, and wanted to build a language that emphasised code readability and also allowed developers to express concepts in fewer lines of code.

The name Python does not refer the snake, but rather to the British comedy group Monty Python. Guido picked the name while developing the language at the time, wanting something short, unique, and a bit playful. The underlying goal was to make coding fun, flexible, and clean.

Nonetheless, since its early days, Python has gone through multiple versions. These are discussed briefly below:

1. Python 2.x: This was maintained until 2020, and is still used in legacy systems.
2. Python 3.x: The current standard; is cleaner, more consistent, and forward-looking.

Python’s philosophy is summed up in The Zen of Python. You can read it by typing the following (You will have the opportunity to test this when we install the IDE):

import this

Some of the mentioned principles include:

1. Beautiful is better than ugly.
2. Simple is better than complex.
3. Readability counts.

Today, Python is one of the top 3 programming languages worldwide. It can be used in of the following areas:

1. Data Science and AI
2. Web Development (Django, Flask)
3. Game Development (Pygame)
4. GUI Apps (using Tkinter, wxPython, PyQt)
5. Automation and scripting

2. Choosing the Right Tools

Python code can be written using any text editor (e.g. Notepad, Notepad++). However, when the complex development requires a good Integrated Development Environment (IDE). An IDE is simply a software application that combines together all the necessary tools for writing a program in a specific language, compiling the code, and deploying the code to a specific environment. With Python, the PyCharm IDE enables us to perform these tasks.

Below are common options for Python IDEs.

Why We Use PyCharm

For this course, we are not just writing scripts – we will develop a desktop application with its own user interface. We will achieve the following tasks:

1. Develop modular code
2. Navigate multiple files programmatically
3. Use and manage third-party libraries
4. Debug errors

PyCharm makes this easy by providing the following features:

1. Code intelligence and suggestions
2. Project-based navigation
3. A built-in terminal and Python console
4. Built-in support for virtual environments, which enables you to isolate app dependencies

We will use the PyCharm Community Edition, which is a free software and is sufficient for all the course tasks.

3. Installing Python

Thus, in order to write Python code, you will need to perform these two tasks: (i) install the Python interpreter, and (ii) install a Python IDE. We shall perform these tasks in this section.

To obtain a copy of the Python interpreter, you can download it from the official site at the following URL:
https://www.python.org/downloads/

Follow these steps:

1. Choose the version for your OS (Windows, macOS, Linux).
2. During installation, make sure to click the checkbox for the question: “Add Python to PATH” before clicking the “Install Now” button.
3. Wait for the installation to complete.

After the installation is complete, you can test that it succeeded:

• Open a terminal or command prompt on your computer
• Type the following at the prompt:

python --version

If you see something like Python 3.12.x, then installation was successful.

If you do not see anything like above, please let the tutor know so that you can receive some assistance. You can also share the issue in the course forum.

4. Installing PyCharm (Community Edition)

To install the PyCharm IDE, you can download it from this URL.
https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/download/

Follow these steps:

1. Choose the Community Edition.
2. Run the installer.
3. Once installed, launch the app.
4. (Optional but recommended): Log in or create a JetBrains account.

Source Code for the Course
You can access the source code for the entire course on this GitHub link

GitHub Link to Course Source Code

5. Creating Your First Python Project in PyCharm

Now that you have installed both the Python interpreter and IDE you are ready to try your hands on some Python code. If you have not achieved the installation up to this stage, please inform the tutor by sending an email to tutor@culerlearn.com,or sending a message on the course forum.

If you have been able to complete the installation of the both the interpreter and the IDE, then you can follow the steps below to write your first Python program.

1. Open PyCharm and click “New Project”
2. Choose and enter a name for a folder for your project (e.g., PythonForApps)
3. For the interpreter:
   • 3.1 Click “New Environment using Virtualenv”
   • 3.2 Ensure that the base interpreter is set to your Python 3.x installation (Watch the illustrations for this in the video sessions and refer to the recorded session video as well if you need some guidance.
4. Click Create

Next, create a new Python file:

1. Right-click your project folder → New > Python File
2. Name it: main.py
3. Type the following code:

print("Hello, Python World!")

Click the green ▶ Run button.

Terrific!!! You have been able to write and run your first Python program.
This is tremendous achievement.
If you were not able to achieve this, don’t worry. You will get enough support to sort this out.

The following provides some extra exercises to practise on.
It is essential to practise writing more code to build the skill of writing Python programs.

Exercise – Test Your Setup

1. Create a file named first_script.py.
2. Open the file by double-clicking it on the left
3. Into the file, type the following code:

name = "Your Name"
course = "Python for Real Applications"
print(f"Hi {name}, welcome to {course}!")

Run the file. Confirm that your name and course appear in the terminal.

Reflection

For this, you do not need to write anything down although it is recommended. It would not be submitted however.
In your own words:

1. Why do you think Python is so popular today?
2. How does using an IDE like PyCharm help you write better code?
3. What sort of app have you always wanted to build if you could improve your programming skills?

In the next lesson, we shall discuss Syntax, Variables and Data Types in Python