In the coming lessons, we'll be using the PyCharm Integrated Development Environment to learn to code. It's a completely free piece of software and is used by professional Python developers across the globe. They also have a handy course template feature, which we'll be using for the beginner parts of the lessons from Day 1 to 15. So while you might have another favourite code editor, I only recommend to use PyCharm for this course.

Step 1

Download and install Python to your computer. Head over to the official Python website to download the latest version of Python for your computer system. Then complete the installation.

Step 2

Download the JetBrains Toolbox App (Windows / Mac / Linux)

IMPORTANT: If you already have PyCharm, make sure you update to the latest version of PyCharm!

Help menu -> Check for Updates. Then install the plugin. The plugin should auto-update if it is already installed.

Run the file you downloaded to install the Toolbox App

Windows users: The App lives in your System Tray near the clock

Mac users: You'll find it in Applications.

Click to Open. Scroll down to PyCharm Community. Click Install.

Once installed, PyCharm CE will now appear at the top of the Toolbox App.

Success. Click it to start PyCharm.

The Toolbox will keep your PyCharm up to date with a single click. No more hassles.

Step 3

Once PyCharm installs successfully, you can open it and it should show you the welcome screen. Click on Learn. If you don't see a welcome screen, first close all the open windows in PyCharm. It should look something like this:

Step 4

Next click on "Enable Access".

Step 5

Then click on "Get Started".

If you can't get that to work, this is the alternative:

Download and install the JetBrains academy plugin by going to:

Windows: File -> Settings -> Plugins and search for "JetBrains Academy" -> Select Install -> then OK

Mac: PyCharm -> Settings -> Plugins and search for "JetBrains Academy" -> Select Install -> then OK

Afterwards, restart PyCharm (Close the application and open again), go to File -> Learn and Teach -> Browse Courses

Step 6

Then go to My Courses and click on "Open course from disk".

Step 7

Download the PyCharm Course I've created for you. The file is called 100DaysOfCode-vx.y.zip . Get it in the Resources for this lesson.

DO NOT extract or double-click on the file. If you see console.json or course.json open in a new window then simply close that window. You just need to know where the .zip is so that you can select it in Step 8 below.

See Accessing the Downloads Folder on Mac & Finding Downloaded Files

Step 8

Next, in the popup window on PyCharm, locate the 100DaysOfCode.zip file you just downloaded, select it and click Ok.

Step 9

Next, click Start.

Now you should have access to the beginner course (Day 1 - Day 15) on PyCharm. You will be guided through the lessons to go from Task to Task (you can see the task numbers on the right pane e.g. 1 - 6 for Day1).