Python Learning Resources

These notes were made while teaching programing for beginners in Python. The resources are not structured as a tutorial but by topic, and they might be a good starting point for you.

• Python Learning Resources
  • IDE
    • Visual Studio Code
      • Installation
  • Python Installation
  • Python Tools
    • PIP
    • Autoformatter
    • Testing
    • Jupyter Notebook
  • Python Language
  • Programming
  • Python Libs

IDE

The IDE (Integrated Development Environment) is fancy name for a Code Editor plus tools that makes you productive. There are penty out there and this is my short list:

• PyCharm
• Visual Studio Code

Visual Studio Code

Visual Studio Code aka Code. Pro:

• If you use Code already (e.g. it's popular for JavaScript) you don't need to re-learn where to find the IDE features

Installation

Install the IDE: Visual Studio Code

Install the Python xxtension from Micro Soft:

• https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=ms-python.python
• Configuration: Follow the details on the extention page.

Python Installation

Be aware, that there are some Python versions that are not compatible: Python version 2 and version 3.

Check which version your OS is using:

$ which python
/usr/bin/python
$ ls -al /usr/bin/python
lrwxr-xr-x  1 root  wheel  75  9 Nov 08:52 /usr/bin/python -> [...]/bin/python2.7

You want to use version 3. Your OS (at least MacOS is) might depend on the version configured so better don't mess with it. Use always the long path to the right version like so: /usr/bin/python3

Check if python3 is installed:

$ /usr/bin/python3 --version
Python 3.7.3

Python Tools

PIP

Pip is the Python Package Installer. Don't ask me why it's not called ppi. Maybe it's too hard to pronounce ;-)

Example: Use pip to install pylint:

/usr/bin/python3 -m pip install -U pylint --user

• /usr/bin/python3
  • path to python comand
• -m pip
  • "use module" pip
• install -U
  • install or upgrade
• pylint
  • package name to install
• --user
  • install the package not system wide but in the user's area

You can use the --help option to learn about comand line parameters:

/usr/bin/python3 --help
/usr/bin/python3 -m pip install --help

Put your user's directory with all python modules in your path. First learn where your directory is:

$ /usr/bin/python3 -m site --user-base
/Users/<your-user-name>/Library/Python/3.7

Your bin directory is in the path. So in this example: /Users/<your-user-name>/Library/Python/3.7/bin. Add this path to your PATH environment settings:

export PATH=$PATH:/Users/<your-user-name>/Library/Python/3.7/bin

Autoformatter

Why using auto formatters?

Autoformatters for Python:

• You do not need a style guide for low-level problems since the auto formatter deals with those problems
• This directly reduces the number of discussions about unnecessary things and let the developers focus on writing actual code
• It will also help with onboarding developers on the codebase because the style of the code is consistent
• Fewer merge conflicts since the style will almost always be the same

Popular formatters are:

• black
• autoprep
• yapf

I find them all not very satisfying in some cases when it comes to compact code. I go with black since it's suggested by Prettier for Python.

/usr/bin/python3 -m pip install -U black --user

Testing

• pytest

/usr/bin/python3 -m pip install -U pylint --user
/usr/bin/python3 -m pip install -U pytest --user

Jupyter Notebook

/usr/bin/python3 -m pip install -U jupyter --user

Python Language

Programming

Python Libs