What is Python & Your First Program
Learn about Python as an interpreted language and run your first print statement.
Learning objectives
- Understand what makes Python an interpreted, high-level language
- Learn how code execution works in Python
- Use the print() function to output text to stdout
Lesson material
Introduction to Python
Python is a high-level, interpreted, general-purpose programming language created by Guido van Rossum in 1991.
Key Characteristics:
- Interpreted: Python code is executed line by line at runtime without compile steps.
- Dynamically Typed: Variable types are evaluated automatically.
- Readable: Clean, human-friendly syntax with significant indentation.
- Batteries Included: Vast standard library for web, scripting, data science, and automation.
The print() Function
The primary function for writing output to the screen in Python is print(). You pass values inside parentheses, enclosed in single or double quotes for text (strings).
Example code
# Printing a simple greeting
print("Hello, Python Learner!")
# Printing multiple items separated by space
print("Python", "is", "awesome!")
# Printing numbers and math results
print("2 + 2 =", 2 + 2)Common beginner mistakes
Capitalized Print Function
Incorrect:
Print("Hello World")Correct:
print("Hello World")Python is strictly case-sensitive. "Print" with a capital P is a NameError.
Missing Quotes around Strings
Incorrect:
print(Hello)Correct:
print("Hello")Without quotes, Python looks for a variable named Hello.
Practice exercise: Write Your First Print Statement
Use the print() function to output the exact string "Hello, Python!"
Coding challenge: Multi-line Greetings
Print two lines of text: line 1 should say "Welcome to Python" and line 2 should say "Line 2 Ready"
Test yourself with the Module 1: Getting Started with Python quiz →