Embarking on your coding journey? One of the very first, and most satisfying, things you’ll learn is how to make your computer say “Hello, World!”. In Python, this is incredibly simple and a fantastic starting point to understand the basics of this popular programming language. Python’s straightforward syntax is designed to be readable and efficient, encouraging new programmers to get started without getting bogged down in complicated code structures. The “print” directive is the most fundamental command in Python – it instructs the computer to display text on the screen.
Python exists in two main versions: Python 2 and Python 3. While Python 2 is still used in some legacy systems, Python 3 is the current and future version, offering improvements in semantic correctness and supporting the latest features. This guide focuses on Python 3, as it’s the recommended version for learning and development.
One key distinction between Python 2 and 3 is the print statement. In Python 2, print is treated as a statement and doesn’t require parentheses. However, Python 3 recognizes print as a function, which means it must be enclosed in parentheses.
To display the phrase “Hello, World!” using Python 3, you simply use the following line of code:
print("Hello, World!")This single line is all it takes to achieve the classic “Hello, World!” output in Python. It demonstrates the simplicity and readability that makes Python a favorite among beginners and experienced programmers alike.
Understanding Indentation in Python
Python uses indentation to define code blocks, unlike languages like C or Java that rely on curly braces {}. Indentation is crucial in Python; it’s not just for readability but is a part of the syntax itself. While both tabs and spaces can be used for indentation, the universally accepted standard in Python coding is to use four spaces for each level of indentation.
Here’s an example illustrating indentation with the print function:
x = 1
if x == 1:
# Indented four spaces
print("x is 1.")In this snippet, the print("x is 1.") line is indented four spaces. This indentation tells Python that this print statement is part of the if block. Proper indentation is essential for writing correct and readable Python code.
Exercise: Print “Hello, World!” Yourself
Now it’s your turn! Use the print() function to display the line “Hello, World!”. Try running the code below and see the output. This hands-on practice is the best way to solidify your understanding.
print("Hello, World!")print("Goodbye, World!")` `print("Hello, World!")` `test_output_contains("Hello, World!") success_msg('Great job!')`Congratulations! You’ve just written and executed your first Python program. Printing “Hello, World!” is more than just a tradition; it’s your first step into the exciting world of Python programming. Keep practicing and exploring, and you’ll be amazed at what you can create.
