Lesson 1: Welcome to Python! 🐍

What is Python?

Python is a computer programming language that lets you talk to computers and tell them what to do! Just like you use English or Spanish to talk to your friends, programmers use Python to give instructions to computers.

Think of Python like giving directions to a robot:

You tell it exactly what to do, step by step
It follows your instructions perfectly
If you make a mistake, it will let you know!

Why is it called Python?

Python was created by a programmer named Guido van Rossum in 1991. He named it after a funny TV show called "Monty Python's Flying Circus" - not after the snake! 🎭

Why Learn Python?

Python is super popular because:

It's Easy to Read - Python code looks almost like English sentences, which makes it perfect for beginners!

It's Powerful - People use Python to:

Create video games 🎮
Make websites and apps 📱
Control robots 🤖
Analyze data and solve problems 🧮
Create art and music 🎨

It's Fun! - You can make cool projects right away, even as a beginner.

Your First Python Code!

Let's write your very first Python program. It's a tradition in programming to start with "Hello, World!"

Example 1: Hello, World!

print("Hello, World!")

When you run this code, Python will display: Hello, World!

The print() command tells Python to show something on the screen. Whatever you put inside the quotation marks "" will appear!

Example 2: Say Your Name

print("Hi! My name is Alex!")

Try it yourself! Change "Alex" to your own name.

Example 3: Print Multiple Things

print("Welcome to Python!")
print("I am learning to code!")
print("This is awesome!")

This will print three lines, one after another.

🎯 Practice Time!

Try these challenges:

Challenge 1: Write code to print your favorite animal

print("My favorite animal is a dolphin!")

Challenge 2: Print three things you like to do

print("I like to play soccer")
print("I like to draw")
print("I like to read comics")

Challenge 3: Make Python say something funny!

print("Why did the computer go to the doctor?")
print("Because it had a virus!")

Important Things to Remember

Quotation marks are important! Always put text inside "quotation marks"
Spelling matters! print works, but prnt won't
Python is case-sensitive - Print and print are different
Don't worry about mistakes! Everyone makes them. Python will help you find them.

Fun Facts! 🌟

Python is one of the most popular programming languages in the world
NASA uses Python for space exploration
YouTube, Instagram, and Spotify were all built using Python
Python is FREE for everyone to use

Next Steps

In the next lesson, we'll learn about:

Variables (storing information)
Different types of data
Getting input from users

Remember

Programming is like learning a new superpower! It might feel tricky at first, but with practice, you'll be creating amazing things. Every expert programmer started exactly where you are now. Keep going, have fun, and don't be afraid to experiment!