Revised by Patrick Diamitani and Grok 3 Co-Pilot. Originally from AWS re/Start Lab: Module 108 – Hello World – Python | Download Guide

Overview

In this guide, you’ll set up AWS Cloud9, a cloud-based integrated development environment (IDE), to write and run a simple “Hello, World” Python program. This setup introduces you to Python development in the AWS ecosystem, providing a scalable, secure, and accessible environment for coding. Whether you’re a beginner learning to code or an experienced developer exploring AWS tools, this lab helps you understand how to leverage Cloud9 for Python projects. By the end, you’ll have a functional IDE, a working Python script, and the skills to troubleshoot common issues—all hosted on AWS.

Why it’s useful: AWS Cloud9 eliminates the need for local setup, offering a preconfigured environment accessible from any browser. It’s perfect for learning, prototyping, or collaborating on code in real time.

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Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have:

• An AWS Account: Sign up at aws.amazon.com if you don’t have one.
• Basic Permissions: Your AWS user needs access to Cloud9 and EC2 (Cloud9 runs on an EC2 instance). Attach the AWSCloud9User policy or use an admin role.
• Web Browser: Chrome, Firefox, or Edge for accessing the AWS Console.
• No Local Tools Required: Cloud9 includes Python and a terminal—no need to install anything locally.

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Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Log In to AWS and Access Cloud9

• What: Sign into the AWS Management Console and locate Cloud9.
• Why: This is your entry point to the cloud IDE.
• How:
  1. Go to console.aws.amazon.com.
  2. In the search bar, type “Cloud9” and select it from the Services menu.
  3. If no environment exists, click Create environment. Otherwise, select an existing one (e.g., reStart-python-cloud9) and click Open IDE.
• CLI Option: To list environments, use:
  
  aws cloud9 list-environments
  
• Tip: If the IDE doesn’t load, ensure pop-ups are enabled in your browser.

Step 2: Create a New Python File

• What: Set up a file to hold your Python code.
• Why: This file will contain your “Hello, World” script, teaching you file management in Cloud9.
• How:
  1. In the Cloud9 IDE, go to File > New From Template > Python File.
  2. An untitled file opens. Clear any default code.
  3. Click File > Save As, name it hello-world.py, and save it in /home/ec2-user/environment.
• Code Snippet:
  python
  # Empty file ready for your code
  
• Note: The .py extension tells Cloud9 this is a Python script.

Step 3: Open a Terminal in Cloud9

• What: Access the built-in terminal to run commands.
• Why: The terminal lets you verify your environment and execute scripts.
• How:
  1. In Cloud9, click the + icon at the top and select New Terminal.
  2. Verify your directory with:
     bash
     pwd
     Output: /home/ec2-user/environment.
  3. Check Python versions:
     bash
     python3 –version
     Expected: Python 3.6.x or higher.
• Why It Matters: Ensures you’re using Python 3, the modern standard.

Step 4: Write and Run Your “Hello, World” Program

• What: Code a simple Python script and execute it.
• Why: This confirms your setup works and introduces Python basics.
• How:
  1. Open hello-world.py from the left navigation pane.
  2. Add this code:
     python
     CollapseWrapCopy
     print(“Hello, World”)
     
  3. Save the file (File > Save).
  4. Click the Run (Play) button at the top of the IDE.
  5. Check the bottom pane for output: Hello, World.
• CLI Alternative: Run it manually:
  bash
  python3 hello-world.py
  
• Visual Aid: Imagine the IDE split into three: file tree (left), editor (center), and output (bottom).

Step 5: Clean Up (Optional)

• What: Stop or delete your Cloud9 environment.
• Why: Avoid unnecessary costs since Cloud9 runs on EC2.
• How:
  1. In the AWS Console, go to Cloud9 > Environments.
  2. Select your environment and click Delete.
• CLI Option:
  bash
  aws cloud9 delete-environment –environment-id <your-env-id>
  

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Real-World Use Cases

This Cloud9 setup isn’t just for labs—it’s a foundation for real projects:

1. Web Development: Host a Flask or Django app in Cloud9, then deploy it to AWS Elastic Beanstalk.
   • Extension: Add a requirements.txt and install dependencies with pip3.
2. Team Collaboration: Share your Cloud9 environment with colleagues for pair programming.
   • How: Use the “Share” feature in Cloud9.
3. Data Science: Write Python scripts to analyze datasets, integrating with AWS S3 for storage.
   • Example: Pull CSV files from S3 using boto3 and process them in Cloud9.
4. CI/CD Pipelines: Prototype scripts for AWS CodePipeline, testing automation workflows.

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Troubleshooting

Issue 1: Cloud9 IDE Won’t Open

• Symptoms: Blank screen or “Access Denied”.
• Solution:
  1. Check your IAM permissions—ensure AWSCloud9User is attached.
  2. Verify pop-ups are allowed in your browser settings.
  3. Debug with CloudWatch Logs: Go to CloudWatch > Logs > /aws/cloud9/.

Issue 2: Python Version Mismatch

• Symptoms: Running python –version shows Python 2.x, not 3.x.
• Solution:
  1. Use python3 explicitly:
     bash
     python3 hello-world.py
     
  2. Update the default alias in the terminal:
     bash
     alias python=python3
     

Issue 3: “Hello, World” Doesn’t Print

• Symptoms: No output or syntax errors.
• Solution:
  1. Check for typos in print(“Hello, World”).
  2. Ensure you saved the file before running.
  3. Run manually in the terminal to isolate IDE issues:
     bash
     python3 hello-world.py
     

Issue 4: Environment Not Found

• Symptoms: Can’t locate reStart-python-cloud9.
• Solution:
  1. Create a new environment in Cloud9 with default settings.
  2. Use the CLI to list environments:
     bash
     aws cloud9 list-environments
     

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Conclusion & Best Practices

You’ve now set up AWS Cloud9, written a Python script, and learned to troubleshoot common issues. This foundation opens doors to coding in the cloud with AWS. For optimization:

• Security: Use IAM roles instead of long-lived credentials in Cloud9.
• Scalability: Pair Cloud9 with Auto Scaling EC2 instances for larger projects.
• Efficiency: Save reusable scripts in S3 to access across environments.

Explore more at AWS Cloud9 Documentation. Happy coding on AWSAISetup.com!