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Install and Run PythonLesson 3 of 32

Create a Python Virtual Environment and Run a Script

Build the module-specific task for Install and Run Python and verify the expected artifact with a concrete result. This lesson produces a concrete artifact. Build the smallest useful implementation, run it, change one meaningful condition, and verify the result with module-specific evidence.

30 min Foundation Install and Run PythonReviewed 2026-08-07
Learning objectives

What you will learn

  • Build the module-specific task for Install and Run Python and verify the expected artifact with a concrete result.
  • Produce or inspect a runnable Python project with an isolated virtual environment.
  • Verify the result with Python and pip version output, the active virtual environment, and successful script output.
Before you start

What you need

  • Install Python 3 on Windows, macOS, or Linux and reopen the terminal after installation.
  • Run python --version, python3 --version, and py --version as appropriate to identify the available command.
  • Check pip through the interpreter, for example python -m pip --version or python3 -m pip --version.

Define the build target

For Install and Run Python, install or verify Python, create a virtual environment, run a small script from the terminal, deactivate the environment, then reactivate it and rerun the same script. Build the boundary case using this implementation lens: Use Python 3 runtime behavior, Python objects and collections, exceptions, modules, virtual environments, files, tests, and CPython-visible execution details where useful.

Keep the Install and Run Python build centered on these technical constraints: Use the official Python installer or an operating-system package method appropriate to Windows, macOS, or Linux. Know why Windows may use py or python while macOS and Linux commonly use python3. Apply them through this path lens: Use Python 3 runtime behavior, Python objects and collections, exceptions, modules, virtual environments, files, tests, and CPython-visible execution details where useful. Use Python 3 runtime behavior, Python objects and collections, exceptions, modules, virtual environments, files, tests, and CPython-visible execution details where useful.

Implement the core behavior

Implement Install and Run Python around the module artifact—a runnable Python project with an isolated virtual environment—and keep the implementation specific to this path context: Use Python 3 runtime behavior, Python objects and collections, exceptions, modules, virtual environments, files, tests, and CPython-visible execution details where useful.

Technical examplebash
# Check the interpreter that is available on your system
python --version
python3 --version
py --version

# Create a project environment with the command that works for you
python -m venv .venv
# or: python3 -m venv .venv
Run or inspect
python3 --version && python3 -m pip --version
Expected evidence
Python 3.x.x and a pip version tied to the same interpreter
Practice workspace
practice/\n├── README.md\n├── install-and-run-python-build.sh\n└── evidence/\n    └── expected-result.txt
Challenge

Apply Install and Run Python

Build the module-specific task for Install and Run Python and verify the expected artifact with a concrete result.

  • Use the lesson-specific technical example as a reference, not a copy.
  • Change one condition that matters to Install and Run Python.
  • Verify the result with Python and pip version output, the active virtual environment, and successful script output.

Run the complete path

Run one realistic Install and Run Python case end to end and record the required evidence: Python and pip version output, the active virtual environment, and successful script output. Interpret the result through this path context: Use Python 3 runtime behavior, Python objects and collections, exceptions, modules, virtual environments, files, tests, and CPython-visible execution details where useful.

Change one meaningful condition

Modify one condition central to Install and Run Python using this path context: Use Python 3 runtime behavior, Python objects and collections, exceptions, modules, virtual environments, files, tests, and CPython-visible execution details where useful. Predict the new result before rerunning the same workflow.

Verify the artifact

Your deliverable is a runnable Python project with an isolated virtual environment.

Verification checklist
  • The primary case works.
  • One boundary or failure case is handled intentionally.
  • The result is verified with Python and pip version output, the active virtual environment, and successful script output.
  • You can explain why the implementation behaves as observed.
Hands-on practice

Practice Install and Run Python

For Install and Run Python, install or verify Python, create a virtual environment, run a small script from the terminal, deactivate the environment, then reactivate it and rerun the same script. Build the boundary case using this implementation lens: Use Python 3 runtime behavior, Python objects and collections, exceptions, modules, virtual environments, files, tests, and CPython-visible execution details where useful.

  1. 1

    Write the expected result before starting.

  2. 2

    For Install and Run Python, install or verify Python, create a virtual environment, run a small script from the terminal, deactivate the environment, then reactivate it and rerun the same script. Build the boundary case using this implementation lens: Use Python 3 runtime behavior, Python objects and collections, exceptions, modules, virtual environments, files, tests, and CPython-visible execution details where useful.

  3. 3

    Record Python and pip version output, the active virtual environment, and successful script output and explain whether it matches the expectation.

Interactive practice

Practice what you learned

Exercises are optional for lesson completion and contribute to a separate Practice Mastery score.

Practice Mastery0%
Exercise A · Core Check40% base masterypython

Core Check: Create a Python Virtual Environment and Run a Script

Complete a focused exercise for “Create a Python Virtual Environment and Run a Script”. Your task is to Install a supported Python 3 release, choose the correct command for the operating system, verify Python and pip, create a virtual environment, run a script, and fix PATH or interpreter problems. Use one concrete example and show evidence that the result is correct.

Verification target: a runnable Python project with an isolated virtual environment

Not completed

    Exercise B · Mini Challenge60% base masterypython

    Mini Challenge: Create a Python Virtual Environment and Run a Script

    Extend “Create a Python Virtual Environment and Run a Script” into a boundary or failure scenario. Start from this lesson task: Install a supported Python 3 release, choose the correct command for the operating system, verify Python and pip, create a virtual environment, run a script, and fix PATH or interpreter problems. Change one condition that matters, predict the outcome first, then show evidence that confirms or disproves the prediction.

    Verification target: a runnable Python project with an isolated virtual environment

    Not completed

      Common mistakes to avoid

      • If “python is not recognized” appears on Windows, try py --version and check whether Python was added to PATH.
      • Use where python or where py on Windows, and command -v python3 or which python3 on macOS/Linux, to find the executable being used.
      • If pip installs into a different interpreter, run it as python -m pip or python3 -m pip.
      • If a newly installed command is missing, close and reopen the terminal so it reloads environment variables.
      Lesson recap

      Key takeaways

      • Build the module-specific task for Install and Run Python and verify the expected artifact with a concrete result.
      • Keep the exercise small enough to explain the important state and decision.
      • Use Python and pip version output, the active virtual environment, and successful script output rather than successful command completion alone.

      Frequently asked questions

      What should I be able to do before moving on?

      You should be able to explain the purpose of Install and Run Python, build a small example without copying the lesson line by line, and diagnose a basic failure using the relevant tool or error output.

      How much should I build for practice?

      Keep the exercise small enough that you can explain every important input, state change, and output. Add complexity only after the core behavior is reliable.

      Evidence and updates

      Sources and further reading

      1. Using Python and platform setupPython Software Foundation
      2. venv — Creation of virtual environmentsPython Software Foundation
      3. Python downloadsPython Software Foundation
      Finish this lesson

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