I started the Python for Everybody course, saw that there are links to exercises under the Intermediate Expressions video. However I am already lost at the first minute of the video. I feel that the Windows command prompt would warrant a separate tutorial video. The comments under it reflect the same thing. A lot of people have no idea how to do what, and the instructor doesn’t help with his quick talking.
Also, apparently the first exercise is the second one? Did I miss something?
I believe this should be a simple thing, but it is very unmotivating to find yourself stuck at things like this.
It’s a great course and Chuck is an excellent teacher, but I’d really recommend trying the brand new Scientific Computing with Python certification, which teaches the fundamentals of Python in a much more interactive and project-based manner.
As for learning how to use Python on your own machine via a Windows command prompt, Chuck did cover that in earlier videos in the legacy course, but it’s pretty straightforward nonetheless.
Open up a command prompt with Windows key + R and type ‘cmd’.
Type ‘py’ to see if Python is already installed on your system. If so, you should now have the triple chevron (>>>) command prompt for Python and can start typing Python commands.
Otherwise, you’ll see an error message and will have to install Python.
There are a few ways of going about this but I prefer the direct route via the Python website.
Once installed, you should then be able to open up a command prompt and get Python running as above.