Your First Python Program: The "Hello, World!" Guide

Writing your first line of code is a major milestone. It marks the transition from a passive user to an active creator.

In this guide, you will write, run, and test your first Python script print("Hello, World!") directly in this browser. By the end of this lesson, you will understand how to give the computer a command and how to fix common print mistakes.

What is a "Hello, World!" Program?

In the programming world, a "Hello, World!" program is a tradition. It is a simple script designed to output a greeting to the screen.

Developers use this script as a "sanity check." If you can successfully run "Hello, World," it proves two things:

1. The programming language is working correctly.
2. You understand the syntax required to run a command.

The Anatomy of a Command

Python is popular because it is readable. It looks very similar to plain English. To make the computer speak to us, we use the print() function.

Here is the logic behind the code print("Hello, World!"):

• print This is the command. It tells Python: "Show this information on the screen."
• () Parentheses act as a container. They hold the specific data you want the function to use.
• "Hello, World!" The text inside the quotes is the data. The quotes tell Python: "Treat this as text, not a command."

The best way to learn is by doing. Use the code editors below to write your scripts.

Exercise 1: Your First Script

Task: Use the editor below to display the phrase "Hello, World!" on the screen.

# The standard command to output text
print("Hello, World!")

Your output will appear here...

Exercise 2: Understanding Sequence

Python is an interpreted language. This means it reads your code exactly like a human reads a book: from top to bottom, line by line.

Task: Write two separate print statements to see this in action. 1. First line: "I am learning Python." 2. Second line: "This is fun!"

print("I am learning Python.")
print("This is fun!")

Your output will appear here...

Why Code Fails (And How to Fix It)

If your code doesn't run, do not panic. Errors are a normal part of programming. They are simply the computer telling you it is confused.

Here are the three most common mistakes beginners make:

• Missing Quotes: print(Hello) Without quotes, Python looks for a variable named "Hello" rather than printing the word.
• Capitalization: Print("Hello") Python is case-sensitive. The command must be lowercase print.
• Missing Parentheses: print "Hello" In modern Python (version 3+), parentheses are mandatory.

Exercise 3: Debugging Challenge

The code below is broken. It has a specific syntax error. Can you identify the mistake and fix it so the code runs?

# Fixed code (added quotes around the text)
print("Hello, Python!")

Your output will appear here...

Summary

You have successfully written, executed, and fixed your first Python program. Let's review the key concepts:

• Input: You write commands in the editor.
• Processing: The Python interpreter reads your code from top to bottom.
• Output: The print() function displays your text data on the screen.