Your First Python Program

Python is one of the most popular programming languages in the world. It is known for its clean, readable syntax that makes it an excellent first language to learn. Let's start with the most fundamental command: print().

The print() function displays output to the screen. It is the simplest way to see what your program is doing.

# Your very first Python program
print("Hello, World!")
print("Welcome to Python programming!")
print("My name is BrightPath Student")

Output:
Hello, World!
Welcome to Python programming!
My name is BrightPath Student

Variables and Data Types

A variable is like a labelled box that stores a value. In Python, you create a variable simply by giving it a name and assigning a value with the = sign. Python automatically detects the data type.

Python has four basic data types you need to know:

int

Whole numbers: 42, -7, 0

float

Decimal numbers: 3.14, -0.5, 100.0

str

Text in quotes: "Hello", 'Python'

bool

True or False: True, False

# Creating variables with different data types
name = "Alice"           # str (string)
age = 16                 # int (integer)
height = 1.65            # float (decimal)
is_student = True        # bool (boolean)

# Printing variables
print(name)
print(age)
print(type(age))         # Shows the data type

Output:
Alice
16
<class 'int'>

Comments in Python

Comments are notes you write in your code for humans to read. Python ignores them completely when running the program. They help explain what your code does and why.

# This is a single-line comment
print("This runs")  # Comments can go after code too

# You can use comments to temporarily disable code:
# print("This line will NOT run")

"""
This is a multi-line comment (docstring).
It can span several lines.
Useful for longer explanations.
"""

Key Vocabulary

Variable

A named container that stores a value in the computer's memory, like age = 16.

Data Type

The kind of value stored: int (whole number), float (decimal), str (text), or bool (True/False).

print()

A built-in function that displays output to the screen so you can see results.

Comment

A note in your code (starting with #) that Python ignores. Used to explain your code.

Worked Examples

1

Create variables to store a student's details and print them

# Store student information
student_name = "Jordan"
student_age = 16
student_grade = 11.5
is_enrolled = True

# Display the information
print("Name:", student_name)
print("Age:", student_age)
print("Grade:", student_grade)
print("Enrolled:", is_enrolled)

Step 1: We create four variables, each with a different data type.

Step 2: student_name is a str, student_age is an int, student_grade is a float, and is_enrolled is a bool.

Output: Name: Jordan | Age: 16 | Grade: 11.5 | Enrolled: True

2

Use type() to check data types

score = 95
average = 87.5
subject = "Maths"
passed = True

print(type(score))     # <class 'int'>
print(type(average))   # <class 'float'>
print(type(subject))   # <class 'str'>
print(type(passed))    # <class 'bool'>

Step 1: We assign values of different types to variables.

Step 2: The type() function returns the data type of any value or variable.

3

Basic arithmetic with variables

# Calculate the total cost
price = 12.50
quantity = 4
total = price * quantity

print("Total cost: $", total)

# Update a variable
total = total + 5.00  # Add $5 delivery fee
print("Total with delivery: $", total)

Step 1: We create price and quantity, then calculate total using multiplication.

Step 2: Variables can be updated by reassigning them with a new value.

Output: Total cost: $ 50.0 | Total with delivery: $ 55.0

Knowledge Check

Select the correct answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you are right.

Question 1

What will print("Hello" + " " + "World") output?

Hello+World Error "Hello" " " "World" Hello World

Question 2

What is the data type of the value 3.14?

float int str bool

Question 3

Which of the following is a valid Python variable name?

2nd_place student_name my-name class

Question 4

What does the # symbol do in Python?

Multiplies two numbers Creates a new variable Starts a comment that Python ignores Prints text to the screen

Question 5

What will type(True) return?

Python Basics