Before we get started on any large projects, we need to make a work folder. In the next chapter, you will start writing whole files of code that need to be run; therefore, we will need a place to put those files. Since you are setting up now, let's make a folder.
If you are very good at getting around your computer, you can put your folder wherever you want to.
If you are not too good at getting around your computer, you will probably want to put your folder on your desktop.
On both Mac and Windows machines, you can right-click somewhere on your desktop wallpaper, and a box will pop up with several options. One of the options will say New, and when you hover over New, you will get several other options. Choose New Folder, and a new folder icon will appear on your desktop. It will be named untitled, so you should give it a better name.
To find your folder in the Mac or Linux terminals, respectively, open one of them and perform these steps:
- Run the
cd ..command until you are at the root, which is often the name you have given to your computer. You may need to run the command three or four times. - Now, you will be able to run python programs by typing
python3.5program.py.
To find your folder in the Windows command line, open the command prompt and perform these steps:
- Run the
cd ..command until you are at the root orC:>. You may need to run the command three or four times. - Now, you will be able to run Python programs by typing
python program.py.