Verifying Python Installation Success: A Comprehensive Guide

Installing Python on your computer is a fundamental step towards becoming a proficient programmer or data scientist. However, ensuring that the installation was successful and Python is ready to use can sometimes be a point of confusion for beginners. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide on verifying your Python installation success.
‌1. Open Command Prompt or Terminal‌

The first step in verifying your Python installation is to open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux). This can usually be done by searching for “cmd” on Windows or “terminal” on macOS/Linux in your system’s search bar.
‌2. Check Python Version‌

Once the command prompt or terminal is open, type the following command and press Enter:

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python --version

or if you have both Python 2 and Python 3 installed, use:

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python3 --version

If Python is installed correctly, the system will display the installed Python version, such as “Python 3.9.1”. If an error message appears, such as “‘python’ is not recognized as an internal or external command,” it indicates that Python may not be installed correctly or its installation path may not be added to the system’s environment variables.
‌3. Run a Simple Python Script‌

Another way to verify your Python installation is by running a simple Python script. Create a new text file, name it test.py, and add the following code:

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print("Hello, World!")

Save the file and return to your command prompt or terminal. Navigate to the directory where test.py is saved using the cd command. Then, run the script by typing:

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python test.py

or

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python3 test.py

If the installation is successful, the terminal will display “Hello, World!”.
‌4. Use the Python Interactive Mode‌

Python also offers an interactive mode that allows you to execute Python code immediately. To access this mode, simply type python or python3 in your command prompt or terminal and press Enter. If Python is installed correctly, you should see something like this:

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Python 3.9.1 (default, Mar  8 2021, 13:02:45)
[GCC 7.3.0] :: Anaconda, Inc. on linux
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>>

At the >>> prompt, you can type Python code and see the results immediately.
‌Conclusion‌

Verifying your Python installation success is a straightforward process that involves checking the Python version, running a simple script, and accessing the Python interactive mode. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure that your Python environment is set up correctly, allowing you to dive into the exciting world of Python programming.

[tags]
Python, installation, verification, command prompt, terminal, environment variables, beginner’s guide.