Python for Absolute Beginners

Python is a friendly programming language — no semicolons, no curly braces, easy words like if, for, def.

Install and open a REPL

python3          # opens an interactive shell
>>> 2 + 2
4
>>> exit()

Variables

name = "Priya"
age = 20
is_student = True

No types to declare — Python figures it out.

if / elif / else

score = 78
if score >= 90:
    grade = "A"
elif score >= 70:
    grade = "B"
else:
    grade = "C"
print(grade)     # B

Indentation matters — the block is defined by 4-space indent, not braces.

Loops

# for over a list
for city in ["Delhi", "Bangalore", "Chennai"]:
    print(city)

# for over numbers
for i in range(5):     # 0..4
    print(i)

# while
n = 1
while n < 100:
    n *= 2
print(n)               # 128

Functions

def greet(name, greeting="Hello"):
    return f"{greeting}, {name}!"

print(greet("Rahul"))              # Hello, Rahul!
print(greet("Aisha", "Namaste"))   # Namaste, Aisha!

Real-world tip

Type help(len) in the REPL — Python's documentation is one keystroke away. Beginners who use help() learn twice as fast.