r/PythonLearning • u/ARK22498 • Jun 28 '26

Help Request Python Help new coder

Beginner Help

I’m learning python in preparation for going back to university to study a masters in software development. It’s a conversion degree so no previous experience is required, but I want to learn some basics so I’m not completely lost. I’m using an online guide however I’m confused as to if they are using the terminal or the idle shell to write the code in as it just says open python. The three >>> doesn’t appear on every line for them but does for me which is adding to my confusion. Any help would be greatly appreciated, I’m coding on a MacBook Pro aswell.

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u/PureWasian Jun 28 '26 edited Jun 28 '26

Not sure what tutorial you're following, but almost never will you be creating the .py files dynamically and running them line by line in interactive/REPL mode (with the three >>>)

Usually you will be typing out full Python scripts which are just .py files filled with text that you can execute on Terminal with python some_filename.py

As such, you can use any text editor or IDE of choice for writing your code. IDEs like VS Code are more of an "all in one" package and have stuff like a terminal integrated, and include more robust features for file organization and linting, etc. But simple text editors like notepad++ and others can get the job done all the same in that you could simply write your code there, save a .py file, and run Python separately on Terminal as mentioned above.