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๐Ÿ Python Development Setup Guide 2025 โ€‹

Welcome to your Python development journey! This guide will help you set up a professional development environment across Windows, Linux, and macOS platforms.

๐Ÿ’ป Minimum Hardware Requirements โ€‹

WARNING

Purpose: Ensure your system can handle modern development tools and provide a smooth coding experience.

  • ๐Ÿ”ฒ Processor: Intel Core i5/AMD Ryzen 5/Apple M1 or better
  • ๐Ÿงฎ RAM: 8GB minimum (16GB recommended)
  • ๐Ÿ’พ Storage: 256GB SSD (or faster)
  • ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ Display: 1920x1080 resolution or higher
  • ๐ŸŒ Internet: Broadband connection for downloads and updates

โš ๏ธ Insufficient hardware resources can lead to slow development experience and compilation issues.

๐Ÿ› ๏ธ VS Code Setup โ€‹

Purpose: VS Code is our primary IDE, offering powerful features for Python development.

๐Ÿ“ฅ Installation Steps: โ€‹

  1. Download Visual Studio Code

  2. Install with these options:

    ๐ŸชŸ Windows:

    • Add "Open with Code" to Windows Explorer context menu
    • Add to PATH
    • Register as an editor for supported file types

    ๐Ÿง Linux:

    • Download the appropriate package (.deb, .rpm) or snap package
    • Install using your package manager
    • Add to PATH if not done automatically

    ๐ŸŽ macOS:

    • Drag to Applications folder
    • Install 'code' command in PATH (Cmd+Shift+P โ†’ "Shell Command: Install")
  3. โœ… Verify installation:

    bash
    code --version

๐ŸŒŸ GitHub Account Setup โ€‹

  1. ๐Ÿ”— Visit GitHub Signup
  2. ๐Ÿ“ Fill in your details and choose a username
  3. โœ‰๏ธ Verify your email address
  4. โœจ Log in and complete your profile setup

๐Ÿ“ฆ Git Setup โ€‹

Purpose: Git enables version control and collaboration with other developers.

๐Ÿ”ง Installation Steps: โ€‹

๐ŸชŸ Windows:

  1. Download Git for Windows
  2. Install with recommended settings:
    • Use Git from Git Bash and Windows Command Prompt
    • Use main as initial branch name
    • Enable Git Credential Manager

๐Ÿง Linux (Ubuntu/Debian):

bash
sudo apt update
sudo apt install git

๐ŸŽ macOS:

bash
brew install git

๐Ÿ”„ Configure Git: โ€‹

bash
git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "your.email@example.com"

๐Ÿ” SSH Key Setup โ€‹

WARNING

๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Security Setup Steps: โ€‹

  1. ๐Ÿ”‘ Generate SSH Key:

    bash
    ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your.email@example.com"
  2. ๐Ÿš€ Start SSH Agent:

    ๐ŸชŸ Windows:

    bash
    eval $(ssh-agent -s)
    ssh-add C:\Users\YourUsername\.ssh\id_ed25519

    ๐Ÿง/๐ŸŽ Linux/macOS:

    bash
    eval "$(ssh-agent -s)"
    ssh-add ~/.ssh/id_ed25519
  3. ๐Ÿ“‹ Copy Key to Clipboard:

    ๐ŸชŸ Windows:

    bash
    clip < C:\Users\YourUsername\.ssh\id_ed25519.pub

    ๐Ÿง Linux:

    bash
    cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub | xclip -selection clipboard

    ๐ŸŽ macOS:

    bash
    pbcopy < ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub
  4. โž• Add to GitHub:

    • Visit GitHub.com โ†’ Settings โ†’ SSH Keys โ†’ New SSH Key
    • Paste your key and save

โšก UV & Python Setup โ€‹

๐Ÿ“ฅ Install UV โ€‹

๐ŸชŸ Windows:

powershell
powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -c "irm https://astral.sh/uv/install.ps1 | iex"

๐Ÿง/๐ŸŽ Linux/macOS:

bash
curl -s https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | bash

๐Ÿ“ฆ All Platforms - Alternative (PyPI):

bash
pip install uv

๐Ÿ”„ Update UV:

bash
uv self update

๐Ÿ Install Python 3.13.2 via UV โ€‹

  1. ๐Ÿ“‹ List Python versions:
    bash
    uv python list
  2. ๐Ÿ“ฅ Install latest:
    bash
    uv python install 3.13.2
  3. ๐Ÿ“Œ Pin version:
    bash
    uv python pin 3.13.2

๐Ÿ—„๏ธ Database Tools โ€‹

๐Ÿ’ฝ Installation Steps: โ€‹

๐ŸชŸ Windows: โ€‹

๐Ÿง Linux: โ€‹

  • PostgreSQL (Ubuntu/Debian):
    bash
    sudo apt update
    sudo apt install postgresql postgresql-contrib
  • SQL Server:
    • Microsoft provides SQL Server for Linux. For Ubuntu, run:
      bash
      wget -qO- https://packages.microsoft.com/keys/microsoft.asc | sudo apt-key add -
      sudo add-apt-repository "$(wget -qO- https://packages.microsoft.com/config/ubuntu/$(lsb_release -rs)/mssql-server-2019.list)"
      sudo apt update
      sudo apt install -y mssql-server
      sudo /opt/mssql/bin/mssql-conf setup
    • SSMS Alternative: Since SSMS is Windows-only, use Azure Data Studio:
      bash
      sudo snap install azure-data-studio --classic

๐ŸŽ macOS: โ€‹

  • PostgreSQL:
    bash
    brew install postgresql
  • SQL Server:
    • SQL Server isnโ€™t natively supported on macOS but can be run via Docker:
      bash
      docker pull mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2019-latest
      docker run -e 'ACCEPT_EULA=Y' -e 'SA_PASSWORD=YourStrong@Passw0rd' -p 1433:1433 --name sql1 -d mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2019-latest
    • SSMS Alternative: Use Azure Data Studio:
      bash
      brew install --cask azure-data-studio

๐ŸŒ Web Browsers Setup โ€‹

๐Ÿ” Chrome โ€‹

  1. ๐Ÿ“ฅ Download:
    • ๐ŸชŸ/๐ŸŽ Windows/macOS: Google Chrome
    • ๐Ÿง Linux:
      bash
      wget https://dl.google.com/linux/direct/google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb
      sudo dpkg -i google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb

๐ŸฆŠ Firefox โ€‹

  1. ๐Ÿ“ฅ Download:
    • ๐ŸชŸ/๐ŸŽ Windows/macOS: Mozilla Firefox
    • ๐Ÿง Linux:
      bash
      sudo apt install firefox

๐Ÿš€ Postman Setup โ€‹

๐Ÿ“ฅ Installation Steps: โ€‹

  1. Download:
    • ๐ŸชŸ/๐ŸŽ Windows/macOS: Postman
    • ๐Ÿง Linux:
      bash
      sudo snap install postman
  2. ๐Ÿ”ง Install:
    • ๐ŸชŸ Windows: Run the installer
    • ๐ŸŽ macOS: Drag to Applications folder
    • ๐Ÿง Linux: Snap installation handles everything
  3. ๐ŸŽ‰ First Launch:
    • Create a free Postman account or sign in
    • Complete initial setup wizard

๐Ÿ“Š Power BI Setup โ€‹

๐ŸชŸ Windows Setup โ€‹

  1. ๐Ÿ“ฅ Download Power BI Desktop
  2. ๐Ÿ”ง Install following the on-screen instructions
  3. ๐Ÿ”‘ Sign In with your Microsoft account

๐Ÿง Linux & ๐ŸŽ macOS Alternatives โ€‹

Power BI Desktop is Windows-only. Consider these alternatives:

๐Ÿงฉ VS Code Extensions โ€‹

๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Essential Extensions โ€‹

ExtensionPurpose๐Ÿ”— Link
๐Ÿ“ GitLensGit superchargedInstall
โœจ PrettierCode formatterInstall
๐ŸŒ Live ServerDevelopment server with live reloadInstall
๐Ÿ RuffFast Python linter and formatterInstall
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ Live PreviewPreview HTML files in real-timeInstall
๐Ÿ“˜ Markdown All in OneEnhanced Markdown supportInstall
๐Ÿ–ผ๏ธ Markdown PastePaste images into MarkdownInstall
๐ŸŽจ Material Icon ThemeBeautiful file iconsInstall
โœ๏ธ Multiple Cursor CasePreserve case with multiple cursorsInstall
๐Ÿ” PylancePython language supportInstall
๐Ÿ PythonPython development toolsInstall
๐Ÿž Python DebuggerPython debugging supportInstall
๐ŸŽญ Better JinjaJinja template supportInstall
๐Ÿ”„ change-caseChange case of textInstall
๐Ÿ““ JupyterInteractive Python notebooksInstall

โšก Quick Install Command โ€‹

bash
code --install-extension eamodio.gitlens && \
code --install-extension esbenp.prettier-vscode && \
code --install-extension ritwickdey.LiveServer && \
code --install-extension charliermarsh.ruff && \
code --install-extension ms-vscode.live-server && \
code --install-extension yzhang.markdown-all-in-one && \
code --install-extension telesoho.vscode-markdown-paste-image && \
code --install-extension PKief.material-icon-theme && \
code --install-extension Cardinal90.multi-cursor-case-preserve && \
code --install-extension ms-python.vscode-pylance && \
code --install-extension ms-python.python && \
code --install-extension ms-python.debugpy && \
code --install-extension wholroyd.jinja && \
code --install-extension wmaurer.change-case && \
code --install-extension ms-toolsai.jupyter

โš™๏ธ VS Code Configuration โ€‹

๐ŸŽฎ Setup Steps โ€‹

  1. ๐Ÿ“ Open Settings JSON:

    • ๐ŸชŸ Windows/Linux: Ctrl+Shift+P
    • ๐ŸŽ macOS: Cmd+Shift+P
    • Type "Preferences: Open User Settings (JSON)"
  2. โšก Apply Settings:

json
{
  "editor.formatOnSave": true,
  "editor.formatOnPaste": true,
  "editor.defaultFormatter": null,
  "editor.fontFamily": "'Fira Code', Consolas, 'Courier New', monospace",
  "editor.fontLigatures": true,
  "editor.guides.bracketPairs": true,
  "editor.bracketPairColorization.enabled": true,
  "editor.suggestSelection": "first",
  "editor.minimap.enabled": false,
  "editor.renderWhitespace": "boundary",
  "editor.linkedEditing": true,
  "editor.stickyScroll.enabled": true,
  "files.trimTrailingWhitespace": true,
  "files.insertFinalNewline": true,
  "files.trimFinalNewlines": true,
  "workbench.iconTheme": "material-icon-theme",
  "workbench.colorTheme": "Default Dark Modern",
  "workbench.editor.enablePreview": false,
  "explorer.confirmDelete": false,
  "explorer.confirmDragAndDrop": false,
  "[python]": {
    "editor.defaultFormatter": "charliermarsh.ruff",
    "editor.formatOnSave": true,
    "editor.codeActionsOnSave": {
      "source.organizeImports": "always"
    },
    "editor.rulers": [88],
    "editor.wordWrapColumn": 88
  },
  "[javascript]": {
    "editor.defaultFormatter": "esbenp.prettier-vscode",
    "editor.tabSize": 2
  },
  "[html]": {
    "editor.defaultFormatter": "esbenp.prettier-vscode",
    "editor.tabSize": 2
  },
  "[css]": {
    "editor.defaultFormatter": "esbenp.prettier-vscode",
    "editor.tabSize": 2
  },
  "[markdown]": {
    "editor.defaultFormatter": "esbenp.prettier-vscode",
    "editor.wordWrap": "on",
    "editor.quickSuggestions": {
      "comments": "on",
      "strings": "on",
      "other": "on"
    }
  },
  "python.analysis.typeCheckingMode": "basic",
  "python.analysis.autoImportCompletions": true,
  "terminal.integrated.defaultProfile.windows": "Git Bash",
  "terminal.integrated.profiles.windows": {
    "Git Bash": {
      "source": "Git Bash",
      "path": ["C:\\Program Files\\Git\\bin\\bash.exe"],
      "icon": "terminal-bash"
    }
  },
  "terminal.integrated.enableMultiLinePasteWarning": "never",
  "git.confirmSync": false,
  "git.autofetch": true,
  "diffEditor.ignoreTrimWhitespace": false
}

๐ŸŽจ Optional Enhancements โ€‹

๐Ÿ“ FiraCode Font โ€‹

  1. ๐Ÿ“ฅ Download:

  2. ๐Ÿ”ง Install:

    ๐ŸชŸ Windows:

    • Extract zip file
    • Open ttf folder
    • Select all fonts โ†’ Right-click โ†’ Install

    ๐Ÿง Linux:

    bash
    sudo apt install fonts-firacode

    ๐ŸŽ macOS:

    bash
    brew tap homebrew/cask-fonts
    brew install --cask font-fira-code

๐Ÿ“ธ Screenshot Tools โ€‹

๐ŸชŸ Windows - ShareX โ€‹

  1. ๐Ÿ“ฅ Download ShareX
  2. ๐Ÿ”ง Install with default settings
  3. โš™๏ธ Configure:
    • Set hotkeys (PrintScreen default)
    • Set auto-save directory
    • Enable notifications

๐Ÿง Linux Tools โ€‹

  1. ๐Ÿ“ธ Flameshot (Recommended):

    bash
    sudo apt install flameshot
    # Set shortcut: Settings > Keyboard > Shortcuts
    # Command: flameshot gui
  2. ๐Ÿ“ท Shutter:

    bash
    sudo apt install shutter

๐ŸŽ macOS Shortcuts โ€‹

  • ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ Full screen: Cmd + Shift + 3
  • ๐ŸŽฏ Selection: Cmd + Shift + 4
  • ๐ŸชŸ Window: Cmd + Shift + 4 + Space

โœ… Verification โ€‹

๐Ÿ” Check Installation โ€‹

bash
# ๐Ÿ Python
python --version  # Should show 3.13.2

# ๐Ÿ“ฆ Git
git --version

# ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ VS Code
code --version

# ๐Ÿ” SSH
ssh -T git@github.com  # Should show "Hi username!"

๐Ÿ“Š Platform-Specific Checks โ€‹

๐ŸชŸ Windows:

  • Test SQL Server in SSMS
  • Launch Power BI Desktop

๐Ÿง/๐ŸŽ Linux/macOS:

bash
# Test PostgreSQL
psql --version

๐ŸŽ‰ Conclusion โ€‹

Congratulations! You've set up a professional Python development environment with:

โœจ Ready to Use:

  • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Essential development tools
  • ๐Ÿ” Secure SSH setup
  • ๐Ÿ“ฆ Modern UV package management
  • ๐Ÿงฉ Powerful VS Code extensions
  • ๐Ÿ“Š Database tools

Happy coding! ๐Ÿš€