Installation

Before writing Python programs, install Python and verify that your terminal can run it.

This tutorial targets Python 3.13.

Linux

Most Linux distributions already include Python 3. Check first:

python3 --version

If Python is missing or too old, install from your distro package manager or from python.org source releases.

Common package-manager examples:

# Debian/Ubuntu
sudo apt update
sudo apt install python3 python3-pip python3-venv

# Fedora
sudo dnf install python3 python3-pip

# Arch Linux
sudo pacman -S python python-pip

Windows

1. Open Python releases for Windows.
2. Download a Python 3.13 installer (64-bit unless you need 32-bit).
3. Run the installer.
4. Enable "Add python.exe to PATH" before clicking Install.

Verify installation in Command Prompt or PowerShell:

python --version

macOS

1. Open Python releases for macOS.
2. Download and run the Python 3.13 installer.
3. Complete the installation wizard.

Verify installation in Terminal:

python3 --version

If you use Homebrew, you can also install Python with:

brew install python

Verify pip

pip is usually installed with Python. Check with:

python -m pip --version
# or
python3 -m pip --version

If both Python and pip commands work, your environment is ready for the next tutorial.