StepByStep Index

Executing a Python Program: Shell or File?
Programming is pointless if you cannot run, or execute, the program you write. Executing a Python program tells the Python interpreter to convert the Python program into something the computer can read and act upon. There are two ways to do this: using a Python shell and calling the Python interpreter with a "bang" line. The how-to's of both are addressed here.

"Merry Christmas!": A Quick Tour of Python
The purpose of this tutorial is to take a simple program and build upon it in silly ways to illustrate the various elements of the Python language. You would never write a program like this in real life (except to illustrate a programming language on About.com), but you certainly will use the concepts illustrated here in 90% of the programs you write. If you find this tutorial hard to follow, I encourage you to read [link url=/od/tutorial1/]"Beginning Python"[/link] instead.

What is Python?
This series of pages discusses what Python is, why one would want to use it, and how it differs from other programming languages.

"Hello, World!": A Quick Tutorial on Python
The purpose of this Hello World tutorial is to take a simple program and build upon it to illustrate the various elements of the Python language.

Choosing a Text Editor for Python Programming
Before you can start programming in Python, you must ensure you have the right equipment. In addition to having Python installed, you will need a text editor. Here I offer some suggestions on choosing one that you will meet your needs.

Beginning Python: Exceptions, Errors, and Warnings
This tutorial is part of a series designed to help you learn to program in Python. This tutorial looks specifically at the errors, exceptions, and warnings within Python.

Beginning Python: Python Encodings
Python's encoding functions offer a means of encoding ASCII in Unicode and vice versa. Any program that might be used on the internet someday will need to work with multiple character sets. Here is how.

Python Decorators, Methods, and Functions
Decorators help the Python program with maintaining and extending Python programs.

Python Tutorials for Beginners
This series of tutorials is intended to help anyone learn to program in Python. If you are new to computers, however, you may benefit from the absolute beginner's tutorial: [links url=/od/throughacomputerseye/ss/begprogramming.htm]How a Computer Looks at Your Program[/link].