Author:  Michael Robinson
email:   michael.robinson@fiu.edu
updated: May 5th, 2025
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What is Python
Python is a computer programming language that allows us to create
computer programs with specific purposes.

Python currently works in Windows, macOS, Alternate Python packages for
Linux, Python for Android, Python for AIX, Python for HP-UX, Python for
IBM i (formerly AS/400, iSeries), Python for iOS and iPadOS, Python for
RISC OS, Python for Solaris, Python for UEFI Environment and Python for
z/OS operating systems.

Python is an interpreted language, it can not be compiled like other
languages, and it executes its code from the top of the program, following
the logic built in it by the programmer.

Python does NOT, by default, follow the logic of the main method/function
used in other languages such as Java or C, however if we want to emulate
the main method as used in other programming languages, the main method
can be written in Python with the use of the "if __name__ == '__main__' "
condition.

If you name your Python program WelcomeToPython.py, in this case, the
first name is WelcomeToPython, and as I call it, the last name is .py

In other languages the last names conventions are: in Java .java, Shell
.sh, C .c, Batch .bat, etc.

Python is free and can be downloaded from Python.org

To run a Python program in the Windows command line/terminal mode, follow
these steps:

Press the Windows key, type cmd, and select "Command Prompt."

Navigate to the Python file's directory using the cd command followed by
the directory path where your Python files are saved.

For example, if your Python program is saved at:
C:\Users\YourName\Downloads\Python\Programs
type: cd C:\Users\YourName\Downloads\Python\Programs and press Enter.

To find out if Python is installed in your computer type python and press
enter
you will then see something similar to the following messages:

Microsoft Windows [Version 11.0.263109.3775]
(c) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\mrobi002\Downloads\Python\Programs>python
Python 3.9.0 (tags/v3.9.0:9cf6752, Oct 5 2020, 15:34:40) [MSC v.1927 64
bit (AMD64)] on win32
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information. >>>

If Python is not recognized as a command, ensure that Python is added to
the system's PATH environment variable during installation or add it
manually.

To execute a Python program:
Type python followed by the name of the Python file (including the .py
extension) and press Enter.

For example, if your file is named welcomeToPython.py type:
python welcomeToPython.py

To exit Python type quit() and press the enter key.