In this chapter, first we offer a short introduction on why we adopt Python as our computational tool and what the advantages are of using Python. Then, we discuss how to install Python and other related issues, such as how to start and quit Python, whether Python is case sensitive, and a few simple examples.
In particular, we will cover the following topics:
Introduction to Python
Installing Python
Which version of Python should we use and what is the version of our installed Python?
Ways to launch and quit Python
Error messages
Python is case sensitive
Initializing the variables
Finding help, manuals, and tutorials
Finding the Python versions