Configure Python on Linux

This page will walk you through installing Python and setting up your environment on Linux. Commands below use apt (Debian/Ubuntu). Adjust for your distribution (dnf, yum, pacman) as needed.

Installing Python

Most Linux distributions include Python 3, but it may not be the latest version.

sudo apt update
sudo apt install python3 python3-pip python3-venv -y

Verify:

python3 --version
pip3 --version

Installing VS Code

Option A: Snap

sudo snap install code --classic

Option B: .deb Package

Download the .deb from code.visualstudio.com and run:

sudo dpkg -i code_*.deb

Once open, install the Python extension (Ctrl+Shift+X → search Python → Install).

Creating the Course Folder

mkdir python-101
cd python-101

Setting Up a Virtual Environment

python3 -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate

You should now see (.venv) in your terminal prompt.

You will need to run source .venv/bin/activate each time you open a new terminal. Grade 8 covers virtual environments in detail.

Verifying Your Setup

With your virtual environment active:

python --version
pip --version

Both should return version numbers. You are ready to start Grade 1.

Notes

• Once inside a virtual environment, python and pip work without the 3 suffix.
• Some distributions may require python3-full instead of just python3-venv — check the error message if venv creation fails.