Lab: install, verify & first script

This lab makes sure your machine is fully set up and that you can go from empty file to running program on your own. Everything later depends on this working.

1. Verify Python (10 min)

1. Open PowerShell (Windows key → type powershell → Enter). On macOS/Linux open Terminal.
2. Run:

python --version

Python 3.12.4

1. Version must be 3.12 or higher. If you get 'python' is not recognized, jump to the Troubleshooting section below, fix it, and come back.
2. Also confirm the REPL opens: run python, do one calculation at the >>> prompt, then exit().

2. Verify VS Code + extension (10 min)

1. Open VS Code.
2. Extensions panel (Ctrl+Shift+X) → confirm Python by Microsoft is installed and enabled.
3. File → Open Folder → open your python-course folder. Trust the folder if asked.
4. Create a subfolder week1.

3. Write and run first.py (20 min)

1. Inside week1, create first.py.
2. The program must print three facts about you — for example your name, your city, and one thing you want to build with Python. Use at least one variable and at least one f-string. Type every line yourself — type, don't paste.

name = "Ada Obi"
city = "Enugu"
goal = "an app that tracks my shop sales"

print(f"My name is {name}.")
print(f"I live in {city}.")
print(f"I want to build {goal}.")

My name is Ada Obi.
I live in Enugu.
I want to build an app that tracks my shop sales.

1. Run it from the terminal, not the VS Code Run button (you must prove the terminal path works):

cd Documents\python-course\week1
python first.py

1. Take a screenshot showing the terminal with the command and the output visible.

4. Troubleshooting the PATH trap (15 min — only if needed)

If python is "not recognized":

1. Re-run the Python installer you downloaded.
2. Choose Modify → Next → tick "Add Python to environment variables" → Install.
3. Close and reopen PowerShell (old windows keep the old PATH), then retry python --version.
4. Still stuck? Try py --version — the Windows launcher sometimes works when python does not. If py works, you may use py in place of python for now, but note it in your submission.

If an AI assistant helped you decode an error message here, that is fine — but write in your notes what the error was and what the fix was, in your own words.

Deliverable

Submit a link (Google Drive folder, or any public link) containing: (1) the screenshot of python --version output, (2) the screenshot of python first.py running in the terminal with its output, (3) your first.py file. In your submission notes, state your Python version and mention any setup problem you hit and how you fixed it.

Reviewer checks: Python version is 3.12+; first.py runs from the terminal (not just the editor Run button); output shows three facts; at least one variable and one f-string are used; notes describe any troubleshooting in the student's own words.