Concept

• 1
  Concept 1

  Now we need to install Python on your machine. To do so, download the Python 2.7.2 that matches your operating system at http://python.org/download/. The Windows and Mac OS installer should install just fine with the default settings that it provides. For the rest of the course, we will be assuming that Windows will be the operating system of choice but the instructions should be easily translatable to other operating systems.
  
  From this point on, it is highly suggested that you type out at least some of the examples show in the succeeding videos. This will help you get into the groove of typing out code and training your muscle memory in doing some basic programming patterns.
  
  Note: The video link tutorial is for Windows users. For the video link tutorial, when he is discussing modifying the path and adding "C:\Python25" at the very end, you will most likely have to use "C:\Python27" instead as the speaker is using an older version of Python. Please double check where you installed the Python files for the correct path.
  
  Note 2: If you run into trouble with installing and running Python on your local machine, you can use http://live.sympy.org/ instead as a substitute to run examples demonstrated in the videos instead. It is still highly suggested that you install Python on your local machine anyway as being able to set up your programming environment is an essential skill for a programmer.

  Estimated time: ~4 Minutes
• 2
  Concept 2

  The most basic program that most programmers will attempt to run first when getting to know a new language is the "Hello, world!" program. It is a simple program that is meant to be used for familiarizing oneself to a language's unique syntax and/or to check if the interpreter/compiler is working correctly on a machine. Let's test it out!
  
  Further Reading: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hello_world

  Estimated time: ~1 Minutes
• 3
  Concept 3

  Let's talk about some things that we have learned from just that simple Hello World program.

  Estimated time: ~2 Minutes
• 4
  Concept 4

  Python has some interesting quirks. Some of they can cause run time bugs that will cause problems later on. To possibly prevent some future hair-pulling, here's some common mistakes and traps that you might encounter.
  
  It is highly suggested that you fire up your interpreter to familiarize yourself more with it by entering in all of the commands that the lecturer inputs and see the results of those commands for yourself.

  Estimated time: ~15 Minutes
• Test
  Chapter 2 Test

  Take the chapter 2 test and unlock the Python Install badge.