Setup Python Coding Workspace with VS Code

Setting up a coding workspace with Python and VS Code is straightforward. In this guide, we will install Python, install VS Code, configure a Python environment, and run our first Python program in a Jupyter notebook.

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Install Python

• Download the latest Python installer from the official Python website.
• In the installer window click Add python.exe to PATH ⚠️
• Complete the installation.

Install VS Code

• Download VS Code from https://code.visualstudio.com/
• in the installer window, enable “Open with Code” in the Windows Explorer context menu.. It will help you open folders in VS Code easily.
• Complete the installation.

Integrate VS Code and Python

Now that both Python and VS Code are installed, let us create our coding workspace. The first time, there will be a few installations to complete, so be patient and read the prompts carefully before cancelling.

• Create a folder named codes/python in Explorer. Right-click on the folder > Open with Code.
• VS Code asks whether you trust the authors of the files in the folder; select Trust.
• Create a new file named test.ipynb.
• Click + Code on top and type

      print("Hello World!")
  

• Run the cell by clicking ▷. Click the prompt Install/Enable suggested extensions Python + Jupyter and wait for the installation to complete.
• Upon completion, there will be a prompt to select Python Environments…. Click and select the Python you just installed.
• click run ▷ again and in the prompt install ipykernel.
• Finally, you will see the output of the cell

   Hello World!
  

  Installing packages with pip

  Now install some packages in Python.

• In the VS Code window press Ctrl + ` to open the integrated terminal.
• Check Python version by the python -V command. It should match the Python version you just installed.
• for installing packages scipy and pymoosh give command

      pip install scipy pymoosh
  

• After installing, you can see the packages with the pip list command.

Try the notebook

import hello

import this

import antigravity

You now have a working Python + VS Code + Jupyter environment and are ready to start coding!

Further Reading

• Python for Beginners — The official Python beginner guide, including tutorials, documentation, and learning resources.
• Python Tutorial — The official tutorial covering Python syntax, data structures, functions, modules, and more.
• Real Python – Beginner Tutorials — Beginner-friendly tutorials and structured learning paths with practical examples and projects.
• Automate the Boring Stuff with Python — A practical introduction to Python through automation projects such as working with files, spreadsheets, PDFs, and web scraping. The current edition is available online for free.