Introduction

Python is one of the most popular programming languages due to its simplicity, readability, and versatility. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced developer, mastering Python fundamentals is essential. In this blog, we'll cover core Python concepts, from installation to exception handling.

1. Installing Python and Setting Up Your IDE

Before diving into coding, you need to install Python and choose an Integrated Development Environment (IDE).

Installation

Download Python 3.12+ from the official Python website.
Follow the installation instructions for your operating system.

Recommended IDEs

VS Code (Lightweight, customizable, great for beginners)
PyCharm (Full-featured IDE for professional development)

2. Variables and Data Types

Python supports various data types:

# Integers and Floats
age = 25           # int  
price = 19.99       # float  

# Strings
name = "Alice"      # str  

# Booleans
is_active = True    # bool  

# None (represents absence of value)
result = None       # NoneType

3. Input and Output Operations

Output (Printing)

print("Hello, World!")  
print(f"Your name is {name} and you are {age} years old.")  # f-strings (Python 3.6+)

Input (User Interaction)

user_name = input("Enter your name: ")  
user_age = int(input("Enter your age: "))  # Convert input to integer

4. Operators in Python

Python supports different types of operators:

Arithmetic Operators

a = 10 + 5    # Addition  
b = 10 * 2    # Multiplication  
c = 10 ** 2   # Exponentiation (100)

Comparison Operators

x = 10 > 5    # True  
y = 10 == 10  # True

Logical Operators

is_valid = True and False  # False  
is_logged_in = True or False  # True

5. Conditional Statements (if, elif, else)

Control the flow of your program using conditions:

age = 18  

if age < 13:  
    print("Child")  
elif age < 20:  
    print("Teenager")  
else:  
    print("Adult")  

# Ternary Operator  
status = "Adult" if age >= 18 else "Minor"

6. Loops (for and while)

For Loop

for i in range(5):  # 0 to 4  
    print(i)

While Loop

count = 0  
while count < 5:  
    print(count)  
    count += 1

Loop Control (break, continue)

for num in range(10):  
    if num == 3:  
        continue  # Skip this iteration  
    if num == 7:  
        break     # Exit loop  
    print(num)

7. Functions and Recursion

Basic Function

def greet(name):  
    return f"Hello, {name}!"  

print(greet("Bob"))

Recursion (Factorial Example)

def factorial(n):  
    return 1 if n <= 1 else n * factorial(n - 1)  

print(factorial(5))  # 120

8. Data Structures (Lists, Tuples, Sets, Dictionaries)

Lists (Mutable, Ordered)

fruits = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"]  
fruits.append("orange")  
print(fruits[0])  # "apple"

Tuples (Immutable, Ordered)

coordinates = (10, 20)  
# coordinates[0] = 5  # Error (Tuples are immutable)

Sets (Unique Elements, Unordered)

unique_numbers = {1, 2, 2, 3}  # {1, 2, 3}

Dictionaries (Key-Value Pairs)

person = {"name": "Alice", "age": 25}  
person["age"] = 26  # Update value  
print(person["name"])  # "Alice"

9. String Manipulation

Python provides powerful string operations:

text = "Python Programming"  

# Common String Methods  
print(text.upper())        # "PYTHON PROGRAMMING"  
print(text.lower())        # "python programming"  
print(text.split())        # ['Python', 'Programming']  
print(text.replace("P", "J"))  # "Jython Jrogramming"  

# String Formatting  
name = "Bob"  
print(f"Hello, {name}!")  # f-strings (Modern Python)  
print("Hello, {}!".format(name))  # Older method

10. Exception Handling (try, except, finally)

Prevent crashes by handling errors gracefully:

try:  
    result = 10 / 0  
except ZeroDivisionError:  
    print("Cannot divide by zero!")  
except Exception as e:  
    print(f"An error occurred: {e}")  
else:  
    print("No errors occurred")  
finally:  
    print("This always runs")  

# Raising Custom Errors  
def validate_age(age):  
    if age < 0:  
        raise ValueError("Age cannot be negative")

Python Fundamentals: A Beginner's Guide to Getting Started