Getting Started with Python on Linux

Why Use Python on Linux?

Linux is an excellent environment for programming because of its open-source nature and strong support for development tools. Python, being cross-platform, runs smoothly on Linux, offering robust features for everything from web development to data analysis and automation. Python’s straightforward syntax makes it perfect for beginners, while its capabilities ensure it remains powerful for advanced users.

Step 1: Checking If Python Is Already Installed

Before installing Python, check if it is already installed on your Linux system. Open a terminal window and type the following command and press Enter:

python3 --version

python3 --version

If Python is correctly installed, you will see the version of Python displayed in the terminal, something like:

python 3.8.10

python 3.8.10

If Python is not installed, or if you see an outdated version, follow the steps below to install the latest version.

Step 2: Installing Python on Linux

To install Python on Linux, you can use the package manager for your distribution. Here are the installation commands for a few popular distributions:

1. For Ubuntu/Debian-based systems:
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   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install python3

   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install python3

   For Fedora:
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   sudo dnf install python3

   sudo dnf install python3

   For Arch Linux:
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   sudo pacman -S python

   sudo pacman -S python

Once the installation is complete, verify that Python was installed correctly by checking the version again:

python3 --version

python3 --version

Step 3: Installing pip (Python Package Installer)

pip is a package manager for Python that allows you to easily install third-party libraries and packages. To install pip for Python 3, run the following command:

1. For Ubuntu/Debian-based systems:
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   sudo apt install python3-pip

   sudo apt install python3-pip

   For Fedora:
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   sudo dnf install python3-pip

   sudo dnf install python3-pip

   For Arch Linux:
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   sudo pacman -S python-pip

   sudo pacman -S python-pip

To verify that pip was installed

pip3 --version

pip3 --version

Step 4: Install Visual Studio Code via Package Manager

If you want to install Visual Studio Code via the package manager and ensure it gets updated automatically, you need to follow the steps to add the Microsoft repository. These steps are necessary to configure your package manager properly, allowing you to receive updates through apt as part of your system’s package management.

1. Install Required Dependencies
   First, make sure you have the necessary packages to add repositories over HTTPS:
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   sudo apt install software-properties-common apt-transport-https curl

   sudo apt install software-properties-common apt-transport-https curl

2. Add Microsoft’s GPG Key
   Next, download and add Microsoft’s GPG key to authenticate packages from the Microsoft repository:
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   curl https://packages.microsoft.com/keys/microsoft.asc | gpg --dearmor >packages.microsoft.gpg
   sudo mv packages.microsoft.gpg /usr/share/keyrings/

   curl https://packages.microsoft.com/keys/microsoft.asc | gpg --dearmor >packages.microsoft.gpg
   sudo mv packages.microsoft.gpg /usr/share/keyrings/

3. Add the Visual Studio Code Repository
   Add the official Microsoft repository to your system’s package sources:
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   sudo sh -c 'echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/packages.microsoft.gpg] https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/vscode stable main" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/vscode.list'
   

   sudo sh -c 'echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/packages.microsoft.gpg] https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/vscode stable main" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/vscode.list'
   

4. Install Visual Studio Code
   Update your package list and install Visual Studio Code:
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   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install code
   

   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install code
   

5. Launch VS Code
   Once installed, you can launch Visual Studio Code by typing:
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   code

   code

Step 5: Run Your First Python Script

It's time to run your first Python script! Follow these simple steps:

1. Open your code editor (VS Code) and create a new file.
2. In the new file, type the following Python code:
   python

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   print("Hello, world!")

   print("Hello, world!")

   Save the file with a .py extension (for example, hello.py). If you're using VS Code, simply click the Run button (play button) which is at top right corner.
3. Congratulations! You've executed your first Python program.

That's it! You’re all set to start coding in Python.
Happy coding!