Welcome to Interactive Python Learning

Welcome to our interactive Python course! This introduction will show you how to use the two main learning tools you'll encounter throughout the lessons:

• Interactive Examples - Step through code line by line to see exactly how it works
• Practice Exercises - Write and test your own Python code

Let's explore each tool so you know how to use them effectively.

Interactive examples let you step through Python code one line at a time, just like a debugger in a programming environment. You can see:

• Which line is about to be executed (highlighted in yellow)
• The current values of all variables
• The output as it's produced

Try clicking "Execute highlighted line" repeatedly in the example below to see how the code runs step by step:

Notice how:

• The yellow highlight shows which line will execute next
• The Variables section shows the current values and types of variables
• The Output section displays what the program has printed so far
• You can click "Reset" to start over at any time

Practice exercises give you a chance to write Python code yourself. Each exercise includes:

• A code editor where you can type Python code
• A "Run" button to execute your code
• An output area that shows the results
• Automatic checking to see if your answer is correct

The exercise below asks you to complete a simple greeting. Don't worry if you don't know Python yet - just follow the instructions to see how the system works:

To complete this exercise:

1. Look at the code in the editor above
2. You need to add a line that prints the message variable
3. Type print(message) on the line after the TODO comment
4. Click the "Run" button
5. If correct, you'll see a green checkmark and the output area will turn green
6. If incorrect, you can click "Show Answer" to see the solution

Try it now! Even if you get it wrong the first time, you can edit your code and run it again.

Here are some tips to get the most out of these interactive tools:

• Take your time with examples: Don't rush through the stepping. Watch how variables change and think about why each step happens.
• Experiment in exercises: Try different approaches, even if they might be wrong. Learning from mistakes is valuable!
• Use the Reset button: In examples, you can always reset and step through again if you want to see something a second time.
• Read the variable information: Pay attention to the variable types and scopes - this helps you understand how Python works.