CIT 411 Module 1: Python Setup Guide for Future Students

Course: CIT 411
Audience: Future CIT 411 students with little or no command-line experience
Goal: Install Python, configure VS Code, create a virtual environment, and run a working “Hello World” script on Windows or macOS.

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Table of Contents

1. What You Will Install
2. Before You Start
3. Windows Installation
4. macOS Installation
5. Install and Configure VS Code
6. Create a Project and Virtual Environment
7. Hello World Verification Script
8. Recommended VS Code Shortcuts and Settings
9. Common Errors and Troubleshooting
10. Next Steps
11. Final Verification Checklist

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1. What You Will Install

By the end of this guide, your computer should have:

• Python 3 installed
• Visual Studio Code installed
• VS Code Python extension installed
• VS Code Pylance extension installed
• A working project folder
• A Python virtual environment
• A successful hello.py test script

Python is the programming language. VS Code is the editor where you will write and run code. A virtual environment keeps each project’s Python packages separate so one class project does not accidentally break another.

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2. Before You Start

You need

• A Windows 10/11 computer or a macOS computer
• Administrator permission to install software
• Internet access
• About 30–45 minutes
• A GitHub repository for your final submission

Recommended folder location

Use a simple folder path with no special characters:

Windows

C:\Users\YourName\Documents\cit411-python-setup

macOS

/Users/YourName/Documents/cit411-python-setup

Avoid saving your first project inside OneDrive, iCloud Drive, Dropbox, or Google Drive. Cloud-sync folders sometimes lock files while Python or VS Code is trying to use them.

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3. Windows Installation

Step 1: Download Python for Windows

1. Open your browser.
2. Go to the official Python download page: https://www.python.org/downloads/
3. Click the button for the latest Python 3 release.
4. Download the Windows installer (64-bit).

Decision point:
Use the official Python website, not a random download site. This reduces the risk of installing an outdated or unsafe package.

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Step 2: Run the Windows installer

1. Open the downloaded .exe installer.
2. On the first installer screen, check:

Add python.exe to PATH

3. Click Install Now.

Important:
This is one of the most common places students make a mistake. If you do not check Add python.exe to PATH, Windows may not recognize the python command in PowerShell.

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Step 3: Confirm installation completed

When the installer finishes, click Close.

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Step 4: Verify Python in PowerShell

1. Open PowerShell.
2. Run:

python --version

You should see output similar to:

Python 3.x.x

Then run:

pip --version

You should see output similar to:

pip 25.x from ... (python 3.x)

If this works, Python is installed correctly.

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4. macOS Installation

Step 1: Download Python for macOS

1. Open your browser.
2. Go to the official Python download page: https://www.python.org/downloads/
3. Click the latest Python 3 release.
4. Download the macOS 64-bit universal2 installer if it is available.

Decision point:
macOS may already include a system Python, but do not rely on it for class projects. Install the current Python 3 version from python.org.

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Step 2: Run the macOS installer

1. Open the downloaded .pkg file.
2. Click Continue through the installer screens.
3. Accept the license agreement.
4. Choose the default install location.
5. Click Install.
6. Enter your Mac password if prompted.

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Step 3: Verify Python in Terminal

1. Open Terminal.
2. Run:

python3 --version

You should see:

Python 3.x.x

Then run:

pip3 --version

You should see:

pip 25.x from ... (python 3.x)

Note:
On macOS, the command is usually python3, not python.

5. Install and Configure VS Code

Step 1: Download VS Code

1. Go to: https://code.visualstudio.com/
2. Download VS Code for your operating system.
3. Install it using the default options.

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Step 2: Install Python extension

1. Open VS Code.
2. Click the Extensions icon on the left sidebar.
3. Search for:

Python

4. Install the official Python extension from Microsoft.

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Step 3: Install Pylance extension

1. In the Extensions search bar, search:

Pylance

2. Install the official Pylance extension from Microsoft.

Pylance gives better autocomplete, code analysis, and type-checking support.

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Step 4: Install Black Formatter extension

1. In the Extensions search bar, search:

Black Formatter

2. Install the official Black Formatter extension from Microsoft.

Black automatically formats Python code in a consistent style.

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Step 5: Open your project folder

1. In VS Code, click File > Open Folder.
2. Create or select this folder:

Windows

Documents\cit411-python-setup

macOS

Documents/cit411-python-setup

3. Click Select Folder or Open.

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6. Create a Project and Virtual Environment

A virtual environment is a private Python workspace for one project. It helps avoid package conflicts.

Step 1: Open the integrated terminal

In VS Code, open the terminal:

Terminal > New Terminal

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Step 2: Create the virtual environment

Windows PowerShell

Run:

python -m venv .venv

macOS Terminal

Run:

python3 -m venv .venv

This creates a hidden folder named .venv.

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Step 3: Activate the virtual environment

Windows PowerShell

Run:

.\.venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1

If activation works, your terminal prompt should begin with:

(.venv)

macOS Terminal

Run:

source .venv/bin/activate

If activation works, your terminal prompt should begin with:

(.venv)

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Step 4: Select the Python interpreter in VS Code

1. Press:

Windows

Ctrl + Shift + P

macOS

Command + Shift + P

2. Search for:

Python: Select Interpreter

3. Choose the interpreter inside .venv.

It should look similar to:

Windows

.\.venv\Scripts\python.exe

macOS

./.venv/bin/python

Decision point:
Do not select the global Python interpreter if your .venv interpreter is available. For class projects, use the .venv interpreter.

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7. Hello World Verification Script

Step 1: Create hello.py

In your project folder, create a file named:

hello.py

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Step 2: Add this code

Copy this code into hello.py:

import platform
import sys
from datetime import datetime


def main() -> None:
    print("Hello, CIT 411!")
    print(f"Python executable: {sys.executable}")
    print(f"Python version: {platform.python_version()}")
    print(f"Operating system: {platform.system()} {platform.release()}")
    print(f"Verification time: {datetime.now().strftime('%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S')}")


if __name__ == "__main__":
    main()

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Step 3: Run the script

Windows PowerShell

Make sure your virtual environment is active, then run:

python hello.py

macOS Terminal

Make sure your virtual environment is active, then run:

python hello.py

or:

python3 hello.py

Expected output should look similar to:

Hello, CIT 411!
Python executable: C:\Users\YourName\Documents\cit411-python-setup\.venv\Scripts\python.exe
Python version: 3.x.x
Operating system: Windows 11
Verification time: 2026-05-16 14:30:00

On macOS, the Python executable path will look different:

/Users/YourName/Documents/cit411-python-setup/.venv/bin/python

If your output shows the .venv path, your setup is working end-to-end.

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8. Recommended VS Code Shortcuts and Settings

Useful keyboard shortcuts

Action	Windows	macOS
Open Command Palette	Ctrl + Shift + P	Command + Shift + P
Open Terminal	Ctrl + `	Control + `
Save File	Ctrl + S	Command + S
Format Document	Shift + Alt + F	Shift + Option + F
Quick Open File	Ctrl + P	Command + P
Toggle Sidebar	Ctrl + B	Command + B
Run Python File	Right-click file > Run Python File in Terminal	Right-click file > Run Python File in Terminal

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Recommended VS Code settings

Open Command Palette and search:

Preferences: Open User Settings (JSON)

Add or update the following settings:

{
  "editor.formatOnSave": true,
  "editor.tabSize": 4,
  "editor.insertSpaces": true,
  "files.autoSave": "afterDelay",
  "python.analysis.typeCheckingMode": "basic",
  "python.defaultInterpreterPath": ".venv/bin/python",
  "[python]": {
    "editor.defaultFormatter": "ms-python.black-formatter",
    "editor.formatOnSave": true
  },
  "terminal.integrated.defaultProfile.windows": "PowerShell",
  "terminal.integrated.defaultProfile.osx": "zsh"
}

Windows note for python.defaultInterpreterPath

If you are on Windows and VS Code does not automatically find your .venv, use this path instead:

"python.defaultInterpreterPath": ".venv\\Scripts\\python.exe"

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9. Common Errors and Troubleshooting

Error 1: python is not recognized as an internal or external command

Where it happens: Windows PowerShell

Cause: Python was not added to PATH during installation.

Fix:

1. Re-run the Python installer.
2. Choose Modify.
3. Make sure Add Python to environment variables is enabled.
4. Finish the installer.
5. Close and reopen PowerShell.
6. Run:

python --version

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Error 2: macOS says python: command not found

Where it happens: macOS Terminal

Cause: macOS often uses python3 instead of python.

Fix:

Run:

python3 --version

Use this command to create your virtual environment:

python3 -m venv .venv

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Error 3: PowerShell says script execution is disabled

Where it happens: Windows PowerShell when activating .venv

Error may look like:

Activate.ps1 cannot be loaded because running scripts is disabled on this system.

Cause: Windows PowerShell execution policy blocks activation scripts.

Fix:

Run this command in PowerShell:

Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser

Then try again:

.\.venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1

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Error 4: Wrong Python version is selected in VS Code

Where it happens: VS Code

Symptom: Your script runs, but the output does not show the .venv path.

Cause: VS Code is using the global Python interpreter instead of your virtual environment.

Fix:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + P on Windows or Command + Shift + P on macOS.
2. Search Python: Select Interpreter.
3. Choose the interpreter inside .venv.
4. Re-run hello.py.

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Error 5: No module named ...

Where it happens: Running Python files after installing a package

Cause: You installed a package globally or in a different environment.

Fix:

1. Activate your virtual environment.
2. Confirm the Python executable:

python -c "import sys; print(sys.executable)"

3. Install the package again while .venv is active:

python -m pip install package-name

Replace package-name with the package required by your assignment.

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Error 6: VS Code says no formatter is installed

Where it happens: VS Code format command

Cause: Black Formatter extension is missing or not selected.

Fix:

1. Install the Black Formatter extension from Microsoft.
2. Open Settings JSON.
3. Confirm:

"[python]": {
  "editor.defaultFormatter": "ms-python.black-formatter",
  "editor.formatOnSave": true
}

4. Save the file and restart VS Code.

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Error 7: Virtual environment activation command fails

Where it happens: Windows or macOS terminal

Cause: You are in the wrong folder or used the wrong activation command.

Fix:

Check that .venv exists:

Windows

dir

Then activate:

.\.venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1

macOS

ls -la

Then activate:

source .venv/bin/activate

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10. Next Steps

After your setup works, continue with these official and beginner-friendly resources.

Official Python documentation

• Python documentation home: https://docs.python.org/3/
• Python tutorial: https://docs.python.org/3/tutorial/
• Virtual environments and packages: https://docs.python.org/3/tutorial/venv.html
• venv library reference: https://docs.python.org/3/library/venv.html

VS Code documentation

• VS Code Python documentation: https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/python/python-tutorial
• Python formatting in VS Code: https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/python/formatting
• Python settings reference: https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/python/settings-reference

Real Python tutorials

• Installing Python: https://realpython.com/installing-python/
• Python Basics tutorials: https://realpython.com/tutorials/basics/
• Setting Up Python course: https://realpython.com/courses/setting-up-python/

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A student who follows this guide should be able to install Python, configure VS Code, activate a virtual environment, and run the verification script without needing extra help.