What is Python? Your first program
A language that reads almost like English — and you can run it right on this page.
Lesson 1 of 6 6 min
You will learn
- Know what Python is used for
- Run your first program
- Use print() and comments
What Python is
Python is a programming language: a way to give a computer exact instructions. It is popular with beginners because its code is short and readable, and with professionals because it powers web apps, data science, automation and AI.
- Web: Instagram and many startups run Python on their servers.
- Data and AI: most machine-learning code is written in Python.
- Automation: renaming 500 files or filling a spreadsheet takes a few lines.
Your first program
Press Run. Then change the text inside the quotes and run it again — that is programming.
Python · try it
Output appears here · Ctrl + Enter to run
Checkpoint
1. What does print("5 + 5") show?