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Everything from the Python Course, in One Place

Setup Guide

Windows and Mac

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The Python course on Udemy: The Complete Python Bootcamp, created by Baraa Khatib Salkini

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The Setup Guide

Install Python and Visual Studio Code

  1. Download Python from python.org/downloads

    Windows

    Click Python 3.15, the link under the yellow button.

    Did you click the yellow button and get the Python install manager? That works too: install it, then type python once in the Terminal (step 3).

    Mac

    Click the yellow button.

  2. Install Python

    Windows

    Tick Add python.exe to PATH, then click Install Now.

    Add python.exe to PATH, ticked, in the Python installer (show it larger)

    Mac

    Open the downloaded .pkg file. Click Continue on each screen, then Agree and Install.

    Enter your Mac password when it asks.

  3. Check it in the Terminal

    Windows

    Open the Start menu, type Terminal and press Enter. Then type this and press Enter:

    Terminal
     python --version
Python 3.15.0

    Mac

    Press Cmd + Space, type Terminal and press Enter. Then type this and press Enter:

    Terminal
     python3 --version
Python 3.15.0

  4. Install Visual Studio Code from code.visualstudio.com

    Windows

    Run the downloaded installer with the default options.

    Mac

    Drag Visual Studio Code from your Downloads into Applications. If you see a .zip, double-click it first.

  5. Add the Python extension

    In Visual Studio Code, click the Extensions icon on the left, search Python and install Python by Microsoft.

    Skip the sign-in and the AI chat it offers. The course needs neither.

Your first program

On a Mac, where the videos press Ctrl, press Cmd. Only the run shortcut below stays Ctrl + R.

  1. Open a folder

    File > Open Folder: make a folder for your code and select it. When asked, click Yes, I trust the authors. With No, the play button is missing.

  2. Create hello.py

    Click the New File icon, name the file hello.py, type the line below and save.

    hello.py
    print("Hi, this is my first python code")

  3. Run hello.py

    Click the play button at the top right, Run Python File. The terminal shows the run command first, then your output. That first line is normal.

    The play button at the top right of the editor (show it larger)
The run shortcut of the videos3 steps
  1. Ctrl + Shift + P, then Preferences: Open Keyboard Shortcuts.
  2. Search Run Python File and double-click its Keybinding cell.
  3. Press Ctrl + R, then Enter. A warning about other commands with these keys is fine.
Optional: the look of the videos4 tips
  • Colors: the Dracula Theme Official extension.
  • File icons: the Material Icon Theme extension.
  • Tidy code: the autopep8 extension by Microsoft, then Format Document from Ctrl + Shift + P.
  • Output on the right: View > Appearance > Panel Position > Right.
When something breaks7 fixes6 fixes8 fixes

'python' is not recognized

Run the installer again: Modify, Next, tick Add Python to environment variables, Install. Then open a new terminal.

'python' is not recognized, with the install manager

Start menu, Manage app execution aliases, switch on Python (default).

command not found: python

The Mac command is python3.

SyntaxError after python hello.py

You are inside Python's >>> prompt. Type exit(), then run the file again.

No play button

Click Manage in the Restricted Mode bar and trust the folder. Check that Python by Microsoft is installed and the file ends with .py.

The program seems to hang

It waits for input(). Type your answer in the terminal and press Enter.

The terminal shows another Python version

Ctrl + Shift + P, Python: Select Interpreter, pick 3.15.

Output in the OUTPUT tab, input() does not work

That is the Code Runner extension. Use the play button of the Python extension.

Questions people ask

Where is the code of the lessons?

In The Python Handbook. It comes with the clean source code of every lesson and the full solutions.

What do I need to install?

Python and Visual Studio Code, both free. The setup guide on this page shows every step.

Does it work on a Mac?

Yes. Python and Visual Studio Code run on Windows and Mac. Pick Mac in the setup guide, and it shows the Mac steps.

Do I get a certificate?

Not with the free course. The Ultimate Python Mastery in the Academy comes with quizzes, three projects and a certificate.