Obafemi Emmanuel

Python is one of the most popular programming languages due to its simplicity and versatility. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced developer, knowing how to run Python code is essential. This guide will cover different methods to execute Python programs on various platforms.

1. Installing Python

Before running Python code, you need to ensure that Python is installed on your system.

Windows

1. Download the latest Python version from python.org.
2. Run the installer and select Add Python to PATH.
3. Complete the installation and verify by running:

python --version
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1. or

python3 --version
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macOS

1. Open the terminal and type:

brew install python
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1. (Ensure you have Homebrew installed.)
2. Verify installation with:

python3 --version
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Linux

1. Open a terminal and run:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install python3
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1. Check the installation:

python3 --version
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2. Running Python Code

a. Using the Python Interactive Shell

You can run Python interactively using the command line.

1. Open a terminal or command prompt.
2. Type:

python
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1. or

python3
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1. You will see the Python prompt (>>>), where you can enter commands.

print("Hello, World!")
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1. Exit the shell using exit() or Ctrl + D.

b. Running a Python Script

If you have a script (.py file), you can run it as follows:

1. Create a file, e.g., script.py.
2. Add Python code:

print("Hello, World!")
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1. Run the script:

python script.py
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1. or

python3 script.py
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c. Using an Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

Python code can be executed in an IDE like:

• PyCharm (JetBrains)
• Visual Studio Code (Microsoft)
• Jupyter Notebook (For interactive computing)
• IDLE (Default Python IDE)

Running Python in VS Code

1. Install VS Code and the Python extension.
2. Open the script in VS Code.
3. Click the Run button or use Ctrl + Shift + P and select Run Python File in Terminal.

d. Using Jupyter Notebook

Jupyter Notebook is ideal for data science and interactive coding.

1. Install Jupyter with:

pip install jupyter
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1. Launch it using:

jupyter notebook
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1. Create a new notebook and run Python code in cells.

3. Running Python Online

If you don't want to install Python locally, you can use online compilers like:

• Google Colab
• Replit
• PythonAnywhere

4. Running Python in Docker

For containerized execution:

1. Install Docker.
2. Run Python in a container:

docker run -it python
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1. Execute Python scripts within the container.

5. Running Python in Virtual Environments

Using virtual environments helps manage dependencies.

1. Create a virtual environment:

python -m venv myenv
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1. Activate it:

• Windows:

myenv\Scripts\activate
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• macOS/Linux:

source myenv/bin/activate
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1. Install packages and run Python code within the environment.

Conclusion

Running Python code can be done in multiple ways depending on your requirements. From running scripts in the terminal to using IDEs, Jupyter Notebooks, or Docker, each method has its own advantages. Experiment with these approaches to find what works best for you!