Python basics – Day 01

This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Sabin Sim

Day 1 – Python Setup & Basic Functions (print, type)

Project: Build Your First “Python Greeting App”

01. Learning Goal

By the end of this lesson you will be able to:

• Set up a Python environment on your computer

• Use print() to display messages dynamically

• Use type() to check data types

• Write a simple, functioning Python script

02. Problem Scenario

You’ve just installed Python and VS Code, and you want to verify that everything works.
Your mission: create a small “Greeting App” that prints a personalized message using your name and age, and displays their data types.

03. Step 1 – Set Up Your Environment

1. Install Python 3.10 or newer → python.org/downloads

2. Install VS Code (your development environment)

3. Check your Python installation
   

python --version   # Check Python version
python             # Enter Python shell
exit()             # Exit the shell

If you see something like Python 3.11.x, you’re ready.

04. Step 2 – Display Output with print()

print() outputs text or variable values to the screen.

# Simple message
print("Hello, Python!")

# Print multiple values
print("My age is", 35)

# Print using f-string
name = "Sabin"
print(f"My name is {name}")

Why it matters: print() is your main debugging tool—it shows what your code is doing.

05. Step 3 – Inspect Data Types with type()

type() returns the data type of any variable—essential for understanding what your code is handling.

a = 10
print(type(a))   # <class 'int'>

b = 3.14
print(type(b))   # <class 'float'>

c = "Hello"
print(type(c))   # <class 'str'>

d = True
print(type(d))   # <class 'bool'>

Insight: Knowing your data types prevents logical errors and helps with debugging.

06. Step 4 – Mini Project: “Python Greeting App”

Now combine what you learned to build a small, meaningful script.

name = "Sabin"
age = 30

print(f"My name is {name}, and I am {age} years old.")
print("Name Type:", type(name))
print("Age Type:", type(age))

Expected Output

My name is Sabin, and I am 30 years old.
Name Type: <class 'str'>
Age Type: <class 'int'>

07. Practice Tasks

1. Modify the code to ask for user input using input() (e.g., name and age).
2. Add a new variable is_student = True and print its type.
3. Experiment with changing age to a float (30.5) and check the new type.

08. Reflection

You successfully:

Installed and verified Python

Used print() to output text and variables

Checked data types using type()

Built a working Greeting App

This foundational knowledge will be reused in almost every Python project you create—whether for data analysis, web apps, or automation.

This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Sabin Sim