# Step-by-Step Complete Setup Guide

## Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have Python 3.x installed on your system.

## Check Your Python Installation

Open PowerShell or Terminal:

Press Windows + R, type `powershell`, press Enter (on Windows)

Check Python Version:

```bash
python --version
# Should show: Python 3.x.x

# If that doesn't work, try:
python3 --version
# Or on some systems:
py --version
```

## Create Your Project Folder

Organize your files properly from the start.

Open PowerShell, Terminal, or Command Prompt:

Make sure you're not in the Python shell (should see C:\> or PS C:\>).

Navigate to Desktop or Documents:

Let's create a folder on your Desktop for easy access:

```bash
# Go to Desktop (Windows)
cd Desktop

# Create a new folder for your project
mkdir project_folder

# Go into your new folder
cd project_folder

# Verify you're in the right place
pwd
# Should show: C:\Users\YourName\Desktop\project_folder
# Or use 'ls' to see files (should be empty)
ls
```

**Best Practice:** Keep all related files in one folder for easy management.

## Set Up Virtual Environment (venv)

Isolate project dependencies for clean development.

### Why Virtual Environment?

- Keeps project dependencies separate
- Avoids version conflicts between projects
- Makes sharing and deployment easier

### Create Virtual Environment:

Make sure you're in your [project_folder](file:///Users/home/YandexDisk/TECHNOLYCEUM/ict/Year/2025/ai/ai6/ai6-m3/ai6-m3/jokes_bot/v4.0/database..py#L1-L45), then run:

```bash
# Create virtual environment named 'venv'
python -m venv venv 

# or

python3 -m venv venv

# Check if venv folder was created
ls
# You should see a 'venv' folder in the list
```

### Activate Virtual Environment:

#### On Windows (PowerShell):

```bash
venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1
# If you get an error about execution policy, run this first:
Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser
venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1
```

#### On Windows (Command Prompt):

```cmd
venv\Scripts\activate
```

#### On Mac/Linux:

```bash
source venv/bin/activate
```

**Success Indicator:** You should see `(venv)` at the start of your command line.

## Install Required Libraries

Get the Python packages needed for this project.

First, activate your venv:

Make sure you see `(venv)` before the prompt.

Install required packages:

```bash
# Install the required library
pip install package-name==version.number

# Verify installation
pip show package-name
# Should show the installed version
```

Create Requirements File:

```bash
pip freeze > requirements.txt

# View the requirements file
type requirements.txt
# (Mac/Linux: use 'cat requirements.txt' instead of 'type')
```

**Why this matters:** Anyone can install exact same versions with `pip install -r requirements.txt`

## Using IDLE Editor

To open Python IDLE editor:

### On Windows:

```bash
# Launch IDLE (blank new file)
py -m idlelib.idle

# OR (depending on your Python installation)
python -m idlelib.idle

# Open an existing file
py -m idlelib.idle "C:\path\to\your\file.py"
```

### On Mac:

```bash
# Launch IDLE (blank new file)
python3 -m idlelib.idle

# OR (if installed)
idle3

# Open an existing file
python3 -m idlelib.idle ~/path/to/your/file.py
```

### On Linux:

```bash
# Launch IDLE (blank new file)
python3 -m idlelib.idle

# OR (if installed)
idle3

# Open an existing file
python3 -m idlelib.idle /path/to/your/file.py
```

## Copy Existing Code

Start with our working code and modify it.

### Create main file:

In your [project_folder](file:///Users/home/YandexDisk/TECHNOLYCEUM/ict/Year/2025/ai/ai6/ai6-m3/ai6-m3/jokes_bot/v4.0/database..py#L1-L45), create a new file:

```bash
# Using Python IDLE or any text editor:
notepad app.py
# (Or use VS Code, Sublime Text, or Python's IDLE)
```

### Expected Folder Structure:

```
project_folder/
├── app.py              # Main file
├── requirements.txt    # Python dependencies
└── venv/              # Virtual environment
```

## Final Steps

Once you have completed all the steps above, you'll have a properly configured Python development environment ready for your project. Remember to always activate your virtual environment (`source venv/bin/activate` on Mac/Linux or `venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1` on Windows) before starting work on your project.