Step 2 | Python Basics

🚀 Getting Started with Python: Basic Concepts and Hands-On Examples

Python is one of the most beginner-friendly programming languages, widely used for web development, data science, automation, and AI. In this blog, we’ll cover essential Python basics to help you get started with programming.

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🔹 Setting Up Python and Virtual Environment

Before jumping into Python basics, ensure you have a proper setup with a virtual environment.

1️⃣ Creating a Project Folder

Open a terminal and create a new project folder:

mkdir python_project  # Create a new folder
cd python_project     # Move into the folder

2️⃣ Create a Virtual Environment

python -m venv myenv

This will create a virtual environment named myenv inside your project folder.

3️⃣ Activate the Virtual Environment

• For Windows (Command Prompt):

  myenv\Scripts\activate

• For Windows (PowerShell):

  myenv\Scripts\Activate.ps1

• For macOS/Linux:

  source myenv/bin/activate

Once activated, your terminal will show (myenv) before the prompt.

4️⃣ Install Required Packages

Use pip to install necessary Python packages inside your virtual environment:

pip install requests

To verify the installed packages:

pip list

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🔹 Running Your First Python Program

Create a new Python file named hello.py in the project folder and add the following code:

print("Hello, World!")

Run the script inside the activated virtual environment:

python hello.py

✅ Expected Output:

Hello, World!

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🔹 Variables and Data Types

Python supports multiple data types like integers, strings, lists, and dictionaries.

Create a new Python script basics.py and add the following code:

# Integer and float
age = 25
price = 99.99

# String
name = "Alice"

# Boolean
is_python_fun = True

# List (ordered collection)
fruits = ["Apple", "Banana", "Cherry"]

# Dictionary (key-value pairs)
person = {
    "name": "Alice",
    "age": 25,
    "city": "New York"
}

# Print values
print("Name:", name)
print("Age:", age)
print("Is Python fun?", is_python_fun)
print("Favorite fruits:", fruits)
print("Person Details:", person)

Run the script:

python basics.py

✅ Expected Output:

Name: Alice
Age: 25
Is Python fun? True
Favorite fruits: ['Apple', 'Banana', 'Cherry']
Person Details: {'name': 'Alice', 'age': 25, 'city': 'New York'}

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🔹 Taking User Input

Modify basics.py to allow user input:

name = input("Enter your name: ")
age = int(input("Enter your age: "))

print(f"Hello, {name}! You are {age} years old.")

Run:

python basics.py

✅ Try entering your name and age to see how input works!

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🔹 Conditional Statements in Python

Python allows control flow using if-else conditions.

num = int(input("Enter a number: "))

if num > 0:
    print("The number is positive.")
elif num < 0:
    print("The number is negative.")
else:
    print("The number is zero.")

✅ This program checks if the number is positive, negative, or zero.

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🔹 Loops in Python

Loops help in iterating over sequences like lists or performing repeated tasks.

# Using a for loop
for i in range(1, 6):
    print(f"Number {i}")

# Using a while loop
count = 3
while count > 0:
    print(f"Countdown: {count}")
    count -= 1

✅ This will print numbers using for and while loops.

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🔹 Functions in Python

Functions allow us to reuse code efficiently.

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

user_name = input("Enter your name: ")
message = greet(user_name)
print(message)

✅ This defines a function greet() and calls it with user input.

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🚀 Summary of Steps

✅ Set up Python and a virtual environment
✅ Ran a Python script (hello.py)
✅ Worked with variables and data types
✅ Used user input (input())
✅ Learned about conditional statements (if-else)
✅ Implemented loops (for, while)
✅ Created functions in Python

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