Day 2 of 30: 🛠️ Installation & Setup

Install Python & VS Code for your first script

May 02, 2025

🔄 Quick Recap (Day 1)

You met your instructor and learned his journey leading to Python.
You discovered why the project is called “Digital Mago” (Digital Wizard) and how the 30-day challenge flows.
You defined your personal goals, schedule, and milestones for this journey.

🎯 What You’ll Learn Today

Installing Python 3 on your operating system.
Installing VS Code and the Python extension.
Creating your first Python script and running it in VS Code.

📖 Why Install Python & VS Code?

Python 3 is the foundation—you need the interpreter to run your code. VS Code, with its integrated terminal and extensions, streamlines editing, running, and debugging scripts. Setting these up correctly ensures a smooth experience as you progress through the challenge.

Choosing Python 3

Version: Always install the latest stable Python 3 release (e.g., 3.11+).
PATH: On Windows, adding Python to your PATH lets you run python from any terminal.
macOS/Linux: Python 3 is often preinstalled, but updating to the latest version is recommended.

Why VS Code?

Lightweight: Fast startup and low memory usage.
Extensions: Python extension by Microsoft provides linting, IntelliSense, and debugging.
Integrated Terminal: Run code without leaving the editor.

🛠️ Hands-On: Install & Verify Your Setup

1. Install Python 3

Windows: Download installer from the Python website.
- During install, check “Add Python to PATH.”
macOS: Use Homebrew (brew install python) or download the installer from the Python website.
Linux (Debian/Ubuntu): Open Terminal and run:
```
sudo apt update
sudo apt install python3
```

Linux (Fedora/CentOS/RHEL): Open Terminal and run:

sudo dnf install python3      # Fedora
sudo yum install python3      # CentOS/RHEL

After installation, open a terminal (Command Prompt, PowerShell, or VS Code terminal) and run:

python --version

You should see something like:

Python 3.11.2

2. Install VS Code & Python Extension

Download VS Code: https://code.visualstudio.com
Open VS Code, click the Extensions icon (📦), search for Python, and install the Python extension by Microsoft.
Restart VS Code if prompted.

3. Create & Run Your First Script

In VS Code, open your project folder (learn-python-30).
In the Explorer, click New File, name it hello.py.

Add the code:

print("Setup complete! Hello, Digital Mago!")

Save the file, then in the VS Code terminal run:
```
python hello.py
```
Confirm you see:
```
Setup complete! Hello, Digital Mago!
```

🧙‍♂️ Take the Wand and Try Yourself

Verify your installation by creating and running a one-line script check_version.py:
```
import sys
print(f"Python version: {sys.version}")
```
- When you run:
  python check_version.py
  you should see something like:
  Python version: 3.11.2 (or your installed version)
Modify your hello.py script:
- Change the message inside print() to introduce yourself:
```
print("Hello, I'm Alice and I've installed Python!")
```
- Add another print() line that says:
```
print("Day 2 complete!")
```

Run your updated script:

python hello.py

Expected output:

Hello, I'm Alice and I've installed Python!
Day 2 complete!

Once you see these correct outputs, your setup is confirmed, and you’re ready for Day 3: Hello World & Basic Syntax!

Day 2 of 30: 🛠️ Installation & Setup

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