1.2.1. First steps

Start the Ipython shell (an enhanced interactive Python shell):

  • by typing “ipython” from a Linux/Mac terminal, or from the Windows cmd shell,
  • or by starting the program from a menu, e.g. in the Python(x,y) or EPD menu if you have installed one of these scientific-Python suites.

Tip

If you don’t have Ipython installed on your computer, other Python shells are available, such as the plain Python shell started by typing “python” in a terminal, or the Idle interpreter. However, we advise to use the Ipython shell because of its enhanced features, especially for interactive scientific computing.

Once you have started the interpreter, type

>>> print("Hello, world!")

Hello, world!

Tip

The message “Hello, world!” is then displayed. You just executed your first Python instruction, congratulations!

To get yourself started, type the following stack of instructions

>>> a = 3

>>> b = 2*a

>>> type(b)     

<type 'int'>

>>> print(b)

6

>>> a*b

18

>>> b = 'hello'

>>> type(b)    

<type 'str'>

>>> b + b

'hellohello'

>>> 2*b

'hellohello'

Tip

Two variables a and b have been defined above. Note that one does not declare the type of a variable before assigning its value. In C, conversely, one should write:

int a = 3;

In addition, the type of a variable may change, in the sense that at one point in time it can be equal to a value of a certain type, and a second point in time, it can be equal to a value of a different type. b was first equal to an integer, but it became equal to a string when it was assigned the value ‘hello’. Operations on integers (b=2*a) are coded natively in Python, and so are some operations on strings such as additions and multiplications, which amount respectively to concatenation and repetition.