Installation Guide: Visual Studio Code, Python, and pip

This guide is intended to assist beginners with the installation of Visual Studio Code, Python, and pip on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Installing Visual Studio Code (VSCode)

Windows / Mac / Linux

1. Visit the Visual Studio Code official website.
2. Choose the appropriate version for your operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux) and download it.
3. Installation:
   • Windows: Run the downloaded installer and follow the prompts to complete the installation.
   • Mac: Open the .dmg file and drag VSCode into your Applications folder.
   • Linux: Open the terminal and install using the package manager for your Linux distribution. For example, for Debian-based systems, use sudo apt update and sudo apt install code.

Installing Python and pip

Windows

1. Download Python: Visit the official Python website and download the latest version for Windows.
2. Install Python: Run the downloaded installer. Important: During the installation, make sure to select the option “Add Python to PATH”.
3. Verify installation:
   • Open Command Prompt (search for “cmd” or “Command Prompt” and select the application).
   • Enter python --version and pip --version to check the installation.

Mac / Linux

1. Install Homebrew on Mac (if not already installed):
   • Open Terminal.
   • Enter the command: /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install.sh)"
   • Follow the instructions to complete the installation.
2. Install Python:
   • Mac: Enter brew install python.
   • Linux: Enter sudo apt-get install python3 (for Debian-based systems).
3. Install pip: Python 3 usually comes with pip. If not, it can be installed using the appropriate package manager.

Optional: Using Anaconda

Anaconda is a popular Python distribution that includes many libraries for scientific computing and data analysis.

1. Download Anaconda: Visit the Anaconda download page.
2. Install Anaconda: Download and install Anaconda according to your operating system.
3. Using Anaconda: Manage Python environments and packages either through the Anaconda Navigator GUI or by opening the terminal/command prompt and entering conda related commands.

Final Tips

• Make sure to follow all instructions during the installation process.
• If you encounter any issues, refer to the relevant documentation or seek help from the community.