Welcome to the Python Basics Tutorial! Whether you're a beginner or looking to refresh your knowledge, this guide will help you get started with Python programming.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Python is a high-level, interpreted programming language known for its simplicity and readability. It's widely used for web development, data analysis, artificial intelligence, and more. Python's syntax allows developers to express concepts in fewer lines of code, making it an excellent choice for beginners and experts alike.

Setting Up Python

Before you can start coding in Python, you need to install the Python interpreter. You can download it from the official Python website. Once installed, you can verify the installation by opening a terminal or command prompt and typing python --version.

Basic Syntax

Python uses indentation to define blocks of code. This is a key feature that sets it apart from languages like Java or C. Here's an example of a simple Python program:

print("Hello, World!")

Variables and Data Types

In Python, variables are names that store values. Values can be of different data types, such as integers, floats, strings, and booleans. Here's how you can declare and use variables:

age = 25
name = "Alice"
is_student = True

Control Structures

Python uses control structures like if, for, and while to control the flow of execution. Here's an example of an if statement:

if age > 18:
    print("You are an adult.")
else:
    print("You are not an adult.")

Functions

Functions are blocks of reusable code that perform a specific task. You can define your own functions or use built-in functions like len() and sum().

def greet(name):
    return "Hello, " + name + "!"

print(greet("Alice"))

Further Reading

To learn more about Python, check out the following resources:

Python Programming