https://python.coderdojohasselt.be/en/setup/index.htmlTo make a Python game you need two things: Python: the programming language that runs your code. The computer understands Python, not Dutch or English. An editor: the program where you type your code. Like Word, but for code. Never programmed before? Start with Thonny, because it installs Python along with it and is made especially for beginners. Choose your editor Thonny: ★☆☆ Easy. For beginners. Installs Python automatically. This is the starting point for all CoderDojo sessions. VS Code: ★★☆ Medium. The editor professional programmers use. Good when Thonny feels too small and you want to manage several files. PyCharm: ★★★ Advanced. A full IDE with a built-in debugger and smart code help. Suitable if you’ve been programming for a while already. Next: virtual environment Picked an editor? Then also read how virtual environments work. That is the “backpack” of every Python project — a separate folder with exactly the right packages for your game.Hugoenhttps://python.coderdojohasselt.be/en/setup/thonny/index.htmlMon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://python.coderdojohasselt.be/en/setup/thonny/index.htmlQuick setup Download the script for your operating system. One double-click and it installs Python, uv, Thonny, pgzero, pygame-ce and all the starter code for you. Done in 5-10 minutes. Your operating system is being detected... ⬇️ Download for Windows File: install.bat — double-click it and follow the instructions. ⬇️ Download for macOS / Linux File: install_linux_mac.sh — open a terminal in the download folder and run:https://python.coderdojohasselt.be/en/setup/vscode/index.htmlMon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://python.coderdojohasselt.be/en/setup/vscode/index.htmlHave you already done a few Python sessions and do you want more control over your code? Then VS Code is a good next step. It is the editor real programmers use too. When to switch? Only when Thonny starts to feel too limited, for example when you want to manage several files at once, want to use Git, or are just curious how professional developers work. Switching is not required. Thonny stays fine for beginners and short sessions.https://python.coderdojohasselt.be/en/setup/pycharm/index.htmlMon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://python.coderdojohasselt.be/en/setup/pycharm/index.htmlPyCharm is a fully equipped IDE from JetBrains. You don’t need it to get going with Pgzero or Pygame, but if you want to grow further as a programmer it’s a handy step. Think of a built-in debugger, smart code completion and powerful refactoring tools. When to switch? Just keep working with Thonny as long as that feels fine. Only consider PyCharm once you: want to inspect variables while your code is paused (debugger), want to quickly rename functions or variables across your whole project (refactoring), or want autocomplete that also knows the types of your variables. For beginners and most dojo sessions, Thonny is more than enough.https://python.coderdojohasselt.be/en/setup/virtual-environments/index.htmlMon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://python.coderdojohasselt.be/en/setup/virtual-environments/index.htmlImagine: you’re going on camp and you have to pack your backpack. For a sports camp you put different things in it than for a music camp. If you throw everything together, you never find anything back. That’s how it works with Python projects too. Every project needs its own “backpack”: a virtual environment with exactly the right stuff in it. What is a virtual environment? A virtual environment (short: venv, pronounced “ven-vee”) is a separate folder on your computer that holds Python and all the extra packages for one project.https://python.coderdojohasselt.be/en/setup/troubleshooting/index.htmlMon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://python.coderdojohasselt.be/en/setup/troubleshooting/index.htmlYour code doesn’t work and you don’t know why? Don’t panic: almost every problem has a simple solution. Scroll through the list below and see if your error message is in it. Pgzero or pygame won’t install You see an error like No matching distribution found or Package not found when installing pgzero or pygame. Cause: you’re using a Python version for which the library has no ready-made version yet. That happens with Python 3.16 or higher, and with the classic pygame on Python 3.14 and 3.15. Use Python 3.13, 3.14 or 3.15 and the community version pygame-ce instead of pygame.