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📘 Tutorial: Running Python Scripts in VS Code

Follow these simple steps to download, open, and interactively run Python scripts (.py files) using Visual Studio Code (VS Code).

What is a Python Script?

A Python script is a simple text file ending in .py containing lines of Python code. Unlike notebooks that run inside divided blocks or web browsers, a Python script allows you to write, edit, and run code line-by-line directly in VS Code's editor, sending results to an interactive terminal (REPL—Read-Eval-Print Loop) at the bottom of your screen.

1. Open Your Course Workspace in VS Code

  1. Launch Visual Studio Code.
  2. Open your course project folder:
    • Click File → Open Folder... from the top menu.
    • Select your course workspace folder (e.g., data-analysis).
    • Click Open. (If VS Code asks "Do you trust the authors of the files in this folder?", click Yes, I trust the authors to avoid Restricted Mode).
  3. You will see your project files listed in the Explorer sidebar on the left.

2. Verify Your Python Environment

Make sure VS Code is using the .venv-da environment set up during onboarding:

(Note: The setup script automatically configures workspace settings and registers the kernel, so VS Code automatically selects .venv-da whenever you open your course folder).

  1. Open the Command Palette:
    • Press F1 (or click the search bar at the very top of VS Code).
    • Alternatively:
      • On macOS: Press Cmd+Shift+P
      • On Windows: Press Ctrl+Shift+P
  2. In the top search bar, type Python Select Interpreter and click on Python: Select Interpreter.
  3. In the dropdown list, click on the environment labeled .venv-da.
  4. Success Check: Look at the bottom-right status bar of VS Code. You should see Python 3.12... ('.venv-da': venv) displayed.

3. Download a Course Python Script

  1. Open the course materials repository on GitHub:
  2. Click on the script you wish to open (for example, 01_getting_started.py or 02_data_types_and_structures.py).
  3. Click the Download raw file button (the downward arrow icon at the top right of the code view).
  4. Save or move the downloaded .py file into your course workspace folder.

4. Open and Run Code Interactively (Smart Send)

  1. In the VS Code Explorer sidebar on the left, click on the script file (e.g., 01_getting_started.py) to open it in the editor.
  2. Place your cursor on the first line of code you want to run (or highlight multiple lines).
  3. Execute the code using Smart Send: press Shift+Enter.
  4. Success Check:
    • An Interactive Python Terminal will automatically open at the bottom of your screen.
    • Your code line will appear in the terminal, followed immediately by the evaluated result or output.
    • The cursor in your editor will automatically advance to the next runnable line.

5. Working with Your Data and Variables

  • Variables stay in memory: Once you run a line that defines a variable (like df = pd.read_csv(...)), that variable remains loaded in your Python session. You can inspect it anytime by typing its name in the terminal below or selecting it and pressing Shift+Enter.
  • Saving your work: Save your modifications anytime using:
    • On macOS: Press Cmd+S
    • On Windows: Press Ctrl+S
  • Restarting fresh: If your code encounters an error and you want to start clean, click the trash can icon at the top-right of the terminal panel to close the terminal, then press Shift+Enter again on line 1 to launch a fresh session.

6. Official Resources & References

For documentation, syntax guides, and cheat sheets for the tools used in this course: