Python Basics: Getting Started the Easy Way

So, you’ve heard about Python—maybe from a friend who works in tech, a coding video on YouTube, or while googling “what is Python.” Good news: you’re in the right place.

This is the first part of our Python Basics series, where we’ll take you step by step through the essentials. Whether you’re curious about programming, switching careers, or just want to automate boring tasks, Python is a fantastic starting point.

In this article, we’ll cover two big things:

• Intro & Setup → What Python is, how to install it, and where to write your code.
• Python Basics → The foundation: syntax, variables, functions, and control flow.

By the end, you’ll have written and run your first Python programs.

1. Intro & Setup

What is Python?

Python is a high-level programming language known for being simple, readable, and beginner-friendly. Instead of cryptic symbols and heavy syntax, you write code that almost looks like English sentences.

For example, here’s “Hello, World” in Python:

print("Hello, World!")

That’s it. One line. Easy, right?

A quick history

Python was created in 1991 by Guido van Rossum, who wanted a language that was both powerful and easy to learn. Over the years, it exploded in popularity. Today, it consistently ranks as one of the top 3 programming languages worldwide.

Why Python is so popular

• Versatility → It’s everywhere: data science, AI, web development, game development, scripting, automation—you name it.
• Huge community → Millions of developers use it, meaning you’ll always find tutorials, libraries, and forums to help.
• Beginner-friendly → Many schools, universities, and coding bootcamps use Python as the first language because of its readability.

Think of Python as the gateway language into coding. It’s flexible, approachable, and powerful enough to grow with you.

Installing Python

Before you can start writing programs, you need Python installed on your computer. Luckily, the process is simple and completely free.

• Windows → Download from python.org. When running the installer, make sure to check the “Add Python to PATH” option—it saves a lot of headaches later.
• Mac → Most Macs come with Python pre-installed, but often it’s an older version. You can grab the latest version from python.org or use Homebrew (brew install python).
• Linux → Many distributions already include Python. If not, you can install or upgrade it with your package manager (sudo apt install python3).

Fun fact: “python install” is one of the most searched terms on Google across multiple regions. Almost everyone gets stuck here at first—it’s part of the journey.

IDEs & Editors

Once you have Python installed, the next question is: where do I actually write my code?

You can technically write Python in any text editor, but using a proper editor or IDE (Integrated Development Environment) makes life much easier.

Here are the most popular options:

• VS Code → Lightweight, customizable, works for almost any language.
• PyCharm → A professional-grade IDE with tons of features for large projects.
• Jupyter Notebook → Widely used in data science and machine learning.
• Spyder → Great for scientific computing.
• IDLE → Comes built-in with Python, very beginner-friendly.
• Google Colab & Replit → Online editors, so you can code straight in your browser.

Choosing the right environment is like picking your workspace—some people want a clean desk (VS Code), some want everything within reach (PyCharm), and others like working in a café with just a notebook (Google Colab).

Online Python Options

Not ready to install anything yet? Don’t worry. You can try Python directly in your browser. These platforms let you experiment without touching your computer setup:

• Programiz Online Compiler
• Trinket
• Python Playground
• CyberChef

This is especially helpful if you’re on a school computer or just want to test Python without downloading anything. In fact, terms like “online Python editor” and “Python playground” are trending searches in places like Singapore.

2. Python Basics

Now that you’ve set up Python, let’s start with the building blocks of the language. These basics are the foundation for everything you’ll do later.

Python Syntax & Execution

Python uses indentation (spaces) instead of curly braces {}. This makes code cleaner but also means spacing matters.

The simplest program is:

print("Hello, World!")

You can run Python code in several ways:

• Directly in the terminal → Type python or python3 to open the interactive shell.
• Running a file → Save your code in script.py and run python script.py.
• Using an IDE → Just hit “Run.”

No matter which way you run it, the result is the same—Python executes your instructions line by line.

Comments

Comments are text you write for yourself or other humans reading your code. Python ignores them when running the program.

# This is a single-line comment
"""
This is a multi-line comment.
You can explain things in detail here.
"""

They’re like sticky notes on your code. Trust me—future you will thank present you for using comments.

Variables & Data Types

Variables are like labeled boxes where you store information.

name = "Alice"     # String (text)
age = 25           # Integer (whole number)
height = 1.68      # Float (decimal number)
is_student = True  # Boolean (True/False)

Python figures out the type automatically—you don’t need to declare it. This is why Python feels less intimidating compared to other languages like Java or C++.

Operators

Python includes operators for math and logic.

x = 10
y = 3
print(x + y)   # 13
print(x % y)   # Modulo → remainder = 1
print(x // y)  # Floor division → 3

Two of the most Googled Python questions are:

• “What does % mean in Python?” → It’s the remainder operator.
• “What does // mean in Python?” → It’s floor division (rounds down).

Now you know both.

Control Flow (if, loops)

Programs often need to make decisions or repeat tasks. That’s where control flow comes in.

num = 7
if num > 5:
    print("Bigger than 5")
else:
    print("5 or smaller")

for i in range(3):
    print(i)

• if, elif, and else handle decisions.
• for and while loops handle repetition.
• break and continue help fine-tune loop behavior.

Think of control flow as the “logic” part of your program.

Functions

Functions let you group code into reusable pieces. Instead of writing the same code multiple times, you write it once and call it whenever needed.

def greet(name):
    return f"Hello, {name}!"

print(greet("Alice"))
print(greet("Bob"))

This way, you don’t repeat yourself—and your code is cleaner and easier to maintain.

Wrapping Up

Congrats—you’ve just covered the core foundations of Python!

Here’s what you learned today:

• What Python is, and why it’s one of the most popular languages in the world.
• How to install Python and choose the right editor or online tool.
• The essentials: syntax, comments, variables, operators, control flow, and functions.

This may seem like a lot, but trust me—it’s just the tip of the iceberg. Every programmer, no matter how advanced, builds on these same basics.

In the next part of this series, we’ll explore Python data structures—lists, dictionaries, sets, and tuples. These are the tools that let you handle and organize data like a pro.

Until then, try experimenting with what you’ve learned. Write small scripts, change values, play with loops, and—most importantly—have fun. That’s how you learn best.