Python Essentials For Dummies

Chapter 1

Starting with Python

IN THIS CHAPTER

Discovering why Python is hot

Finding the tools for success

Writing Python in VS Code

Because you’re reading this chapter, you probably realize that Python is a great language to know if you’re looking for a good job in programming, or if you want to expand your existing programming skills into exciting cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), data science, or robotics, or even if you’re just building apps in general. So we’re not going to try to sell you on Python. It sells itself.

Our approach leans heavily toward the hands-on. A common failure in many programming tutorials is that they already assume you’re a professional programmer in some language, and they skip over things they assume you already know.

This book is different in that we don’t assume that you’re already programming in Python or some other language. We do assume that you can use a computer and understand basics such as files and folders.

We also assume you’re not up for settling down in an easy chair in front of the fireplace to read page after page of theoretical stuff about Python, like some kind of boring novel. You ...