Python Basics & Syntax | Learn Python Free - SkillsetMaster | Learn Data Analytics Free

What You'll Learn

How Python code works
Print messages on screen
Do basic math
Understanding errors

Your First Line of Code

Let's print text on the screen:

code.py

print("Hello World")

Try it: Type this and run it. You should see:

Hello World

Printing Different Things

Text (use quotes):

code.py

print("I love Python")
print('Python is fun')

Numbers (no quotes):

code.py

print(42)
print(3.14)

Multiple things at once:

code.py

print("My age is", 25)
print("I scored", 95, "points")

Basic Math in Python

Python can work like a calculator:

code.py

# Addition
print(5 + 3)        # 8

# Subtraction
print(10 - 4)       # 6

# Multiplication
print(6 * 7)        # 42

# Division
print(20 / 4)       # 5.0

# Power
print(2 ** 3)       # 8 (2 × 2 × 2)

Comments (Notes to Yourself)

Comments are ignored by Python. They're just notes for humans:

code.py

# This is a comment
print("This runs")   # Comment after code

# Use comments to explain your code
# or temporarily disable code

Storing Values in Variables

Variables are like boxes that hold information:

code.py

name = "Sarah"
age = 25
height = 5.6

print(name)
print(age)
print(height)

Using variables:

code.py

price = 100
quantity = 3
total = price * quantity

print("Total cost:", total)
# Output: Total cost: 300

Variable Naming Rules

Good names:

code.py

user_name = "John"
total_price = 500
age = 30

Bad names (will cause errors):

code.py

user-name = "John"   # No dashes!
2fast = 100          # Can't start with number!
my name = "Sarah"    # No spaces!

Tips:

Use lowercase letters
Use underscores for spaces
Make names meaningful
total_price is better than tp

Working with Text

code.py

# Store text
greeting = "Hello"
name = "World"

# Combine text
message = greeting + " " + name
print(message)
# Output: Hello World

# Repeat text
laugh = "ha" * 3
print(laugh)
# Output: hahaha

Simple Input from User

Ask the user for information:

code.py

name = input("What is your name? ")
print("Hello", name)

When you run this:

Python asks: "What is your name?"
You type your name
Python says hello to you

Understanding Errors

Errors are normal! Everyone gets them.

Common error:

code.py

print("Hello)

Error message:

SyntaxError: unterminated string

What it means: You forgot the closing quote!

Fixed:

code.py

print("Hello")

Practice Examples

Example 1: Simple calculator

code.py

num1 = 10
num2 = 5

print("Sum:", num1 + num2)
print("Difference:", num1 - num2)
print("Product:", num1 * num2)

Example 2: Personal intro

code.py

name = "Alex"
age = 28
city = "New York"

print("My name is", name)
print("I am", age, "years old")
print("I live in", city)

Quick Reference

Print:

code.py

print("text")
print(number)

Math:

code.py

+    # Add
-    # Subtract
*    # Multiply
/    # Divide
**   # Power

Variables:

code.py

variable_name = value

Comments:

code.py

# This is a comment

What's Next?

Great job! You know the basics. Next, we'll learn about different types of data in Python.