Let’s start with Python
We’re finally here!
But first, let us tell you what Python is. Python is a very popular programming language that can be used for creating websites, games, scientific software, graphics, and much, much more.
Python originated in the late 1980s and its main goal is to be readable by human beings (not only machines!). This is why it looks simpler than other programming languages, but don’t worry – Python is also really powerful!
Python installation
Note If you’re using a Chromebook, skip this chapter and make sure you follow the Chromebook Setup instructions.
Note If you already worked through the installation steps, there’s no need to do this again – you can skip straight ahead to the next chapter!
Python installation
Note If you already worked through the installation steps, there’s no need to do this again – you can skip straight ahead to the next chapter!
For readers at home: this chapter is covered in the Installing Python & Code Editor video.
This section is based on a tutorial by Geek Girls Carrots (https://github.com/ggcarrots/django-carrots)
Django is written in Python. We need Python to do anything in Django. Let’s start by installing it! We want you to install the latest version of Python 3, so if you have any earlier version, you will need to upgrade it. If you already have version 3.10 or higher you should be fine.
Please install normal Python as follows, even when you have Anaconda installed on your computer.
It is very likely that you already have Python installed out of the box. To check if you have it installed (and which version it is), open a console and type the following command:
command-line
$ python3 --version
Python 3.12.3If you have a different version of Python installed, at least 3.10 (e.g. 3.10.13), then you don’t have to upgrade. If you don’t have Python installed, or if you want a different version, first check which Linux distribution you are using with the following command:
command-line
$ grep '^NAME=' /etc/os-releaseAfterwards, depending on the result, follow one of the following installation guides below this section.
Install Python: Debian or Ubuntu
Type this command into your console:
command-line
$ sudo apt install python3Install Python: Fedora
Use this command in your console:
command-line
$ sudo dnf install python3If you’re on older Fedora versions you might get an error that the command dnf is not found. In that case,
you need to use yum instead.
Install Python: openSUSE
Use this command in your console:
command-line
$ sudo zypper install python3Verify the installation was successful by opening a command prompt and running the python3 command:
command-line
$ python3 --version
Python 3.12.3The version shown may be different from 3.12.3 — it should match the version you installed.
If you have any doubts, or if something went wrong and you have no idea what to do next, please ask your coach! Sometimes things don’t go smoothly and it’s better to ask for help from someone with more experience.