How to install Python interpreter in Visual Studio 2022

Question

I'm just getting started with Python.
This document talks about installing an interpreter, but I couldn't find the steps.

1. How can I check if my system already has an interpreter, because I had earlier installed Jupyter.
2. Are Python interpreter & environment the same in Visual Studio.
3. How can I install an interpreter from Visual Studio.

Answer 1

Check if Python (interpreter) is already installed

Since you installed Jupyter earlier, there's a good chance Python is already on your system. If you have a Python version installed on your computer, this usually automatically means that an interpreter is also installed. You can check by running:

On Windows (Command Prompt or PowerShell):

python --version

If Python is installed, this will display the version number.

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Additionally, you can check your installed Python versions in Visual Studio:

1. Open Visual Studio
2. Go to View → Other Windows → Python Environments
3. It will list all installed Python versions detected by Visual Studio

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Difference between interpreter and environment

Python Interpreter: This is the core program that runs Python code (e.g., python.exe on Windows).

Python Environment: This is a workspace that contains different packages, dependencies, and settings, but it still requires an interpreter to function. (e.g., System-wide Python installation, Virtual Environments, Conda Environments)

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Installing a Python Interpreter in Visual Studio

Follow these steps:

1. Open Visual Studio
2. Go to Tools > Get Tools and Features
3. In the installer, select Python development and install it
4. Once installed, go to Tools > Options > Python > Environments
5. Click Add Environment and choose a Python interpreter to use (it might be a bit confusing that you have to choose an interpreter as an environment, but the interpreter is the core file of the environment)