How to Install Python and VS Code on Windows

TL;DR

Install Python on Windows from python.org/downloads, select the path checkbox, complete the customized installation, and confirm Python 3.11.1 with python --version. Then download Visual Studio Code from code.visualstudio.com, install it, save your first program as add.py, and run it with python add.py or the Python and Code Runner extensions. Read on for each installation, verification, and execution step.

Transcript

foreign let's discuss the complete process of how to install Python and visual studio code on our computers in this presentation we will cover the following topics the first topic is need of installing the python interpreter the second topic is steps to install the python interpreter the third topic is steps to install the visual studio code and th... Read More

Key Insights

• The Python interpreter is part of the Python Virtual Machine, which can understand and manipulate the bytecode created during compilation. Installing the interpreter provides the environment needed to convert that intermediate bytecode into machine code while a Python program runs.
• Python bytecode can run on Windows, Linux, or Mac when the Python Virtual Machine is installed on the target machine. Each operating system therefore needs its own installed Python environment before it can execute the intermediate code produced from Python source code.
• The official Python download process begins at python.org/downloads. The site presents a download appropriate to the operating system, after which the downloaded executable can be opened and its setup instructions followed to install the Python interpreter.
• The Python installer includes a path-related checkbox that should be selected before proceeding. The demonstration then uses customized installation, advances through the available options, selects installation for all users as recommended, and starts the installation process.
• The python --version command verifies that Python was installed successfully. In the demonstrated Windows Command Prompt, the command reports Python 3.11.1, matching the version downloaded and confirming that the Python interpreter is available on the computer.
• Visual Studio Code is an integrated development environment used to write Python programs in the presentation. It is downloaded from code.visualstudio.com, installed by accepting the agreement and following the setup prompts, and can optionally receive a desktop icon during installation.
• A Python source file uses the .py extension. The demonstrated program is saved as add.py inside a Python programs folder, assigns 10 and 20 to num1 and num2, calculates their sum, and prints the resulting value of 30.
• Python programs can be executed in the Visual Studio Code terminal with a command such as python add.py. Installing the Python and Code Runner extensions also adds a run button, allowing the program to execute without manually entering the terminal command each time.

Questions & Answers

Q: How do you install Python and Visual Studio Code on Windows?

Download Python from python.org/downloads, open the executable, select the path checkbox, choose customized installation, and install Python 3.11 for all users. Next, download Visual Studio Code from code.visualstudio.com, open its executable, accept the agreement, proceed through setup, and click Install.

Q: Why is the Python interpreter required to run Python programs?

The Python interpreter understands and manipulates the bytecode produced when source code is compiled. It is part of the Python Virtual Machine, which runs the bytecode and converts it into machine code while the program executes.

Q: Which Python installer options should you select on Windows?

Select the path-related checkbox before continuing, then choose customized installation. On the next screen, select the recommended option to install Python 3.11 for all users and click Install.

Q: How do you verify that Python was installed successfully?

Open Command Prompt and enter python --version. In the demonstration, the command returns Python 3.11.1, confirming that the Python interpreter was installed successfully.

Q: How do you install Visual Studio Code for Python programming?

Go to code.visualstudio.com, click Download for Windows, and open the downloaded executable. Accept the agreement, continue through the setup screens, optionally create a desktop icon, and click Install.

Q: How do you create and save a Python file in Visual Studio Code?

Open Visual Studio Code, select File, and choose New File. Create a text file, select Python as the language, write the program, and save it with the .py extension, such as add.py.

Q: How do you run a Python file from the Visual Studio Code terminal?

Open a new terminal in Visual Studio Code and ensure it is operating in the folder containing the saved Python file. For the demonstrated program, enter python add.py; the terminal runs the code and displays 30.

Q: Which Visual Studio Code extensions can run Python programs?

Install the Python extension from the Extensions area, then search for and install Code Runner. After both are installed, a run button appears and can execute the Python program without manually typing the terminal command.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• A Python interpreter is required to process the bytecode produced from Python source code. It is part of the Python Virtual Machine, which converts bytecode into machine code while the program runs. The appropriate Python Virtual Machine must be installed on Windows, Linux, or Mac before Python bytecode can run there.

• To install Python, visit python.org/downloads, download the version offered for your operating system, and open the installer. The demonstration selects the path checkbox, chooses customized installation, and installs Python 3.11 for all users. Running python --version in Command Prompt confirms whether the interpreter was installed successfully.

• Visual Studio Code is downloaded from code.visualstudio.com and installed by accepting the agreement and following the setup prompts. A first program assigns 10 and 20 to two variables, adds them, and prints 30. It can run from the terminal or through the Python and Code Runner extensions.