🔒 I'm new and lost :D

[queen mist]

I'm installing python for the first time and trying to get it running, don't really understand what i'm doing but command prompt says I have version 3.14.4.

How do I open python and code anything at this point?

[wise forge]

@queen mist

Python help channel opened

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• Explain what you expect to happen and what actually happens.

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[keen verge]

just want to open by pointing out that we have an excellent installation guide in resources, corey schafers first link is a walkthrough

!resources

[wise forge]

Resources

The Resources page on our website contains a list of hand-selected learning resources that we regularly recommend to both beginners and experts.

[granite vessel]

What you have installed right now is the Python runtime which allows you to run Python code. To be able to write Python code, you'll need a code editor which is separate. Python itself should come with IDLE which is an okay starting point. Another popular option is using Thonny. And of course there's stuff like VSCode though the other two I mentioned are more suited towards beginners.

[ornate wraith]

You need a text editor to write a file in. That file needs to have a .py file-ending, which you can then run by doing py my_python_file.py in your terminal.

If you are completely new to this I would recommend that you install PyCharm: https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/ as this handles a lot of Python surrounding stuff, besides offering a text editor

[keen verge]

once you're able to write and run code, it's worth taking a look at virtual environments, it's the next step in running code properly. you can ping me if you want some explanation but first get an IDE set up

I believe pycharm will make it automatically, so that's a friendly option but there are details you should still be aware of.

[red steeple]

!learn

[wise forge]

Go-to beginner resources

Here are the top free resources we recommend for people who are new to programming:

• Automate the Boring Stuff — an online book (also available to purchase as a physical book)
• Harvard’s CS50P course — video lectures (slides and notes provided) with exercises
• Python Programming MOOC 2026 course — text-based lessons with exercises
• Corey Schafer's YouTube playlist

For a full, curated list of educational resources we recommend, please see our resources page!

[red steeple]

This is also pretty useful for a new starter

[wise forge]

Python help channel closed for inactivity

This help channel has been closed. Feel free to create a new post in #1035199133436354600. To maximize your chances of getting a response, check out this guide on asking good questions.