SDD0 PyCharm Setup | Higher Computing Science

01

Connect PyCharm or switch to IDLE

Follow the steps directly in PyCharm. If it doesn't activate before we need to move on, switch to IDLE instead — no licence required.

Open PyCharm.

Go to Help → Register… or Help → Manage Subscriptions….

In Server address, paste this License Vault URL exactly:

https://jghs.fls.jetbrains.com

Do not enter oauth.fls.jetbrains.com. That address opens automatically later.

Optional: click “Test Connection”. If reachable, it should show “Connection successful”.

Click Activate.

Your browser should open automatically to a sign-in page.

Sign in using your school email address ending in @ea.edin.sch.uk.

Return to PyCharm and check that it now shows as licensed or activated.

Tick your route before Part 2

Connected to PyCharm
I can open the editor. Switched to IDLE
PyCharm didn't activate in time.

02

Tooling scavenger hunt

Use whichever tool you selected. Every item is complete when you can see the stated result—no one else needs to check it.

Create a project or working folderPyCharm: a new project. IDLE: make a clearly named folder for today’s files. Open a Python file in the editorUse the provided hello_setup.py file below. Run the provided script onceYou can see “Hello from Higher Computing Science!” after it runs. Locate the outputPoint to the Run window in PyCharm or the Shell window in IDLE. Save the fileClose and reopen it to confirm your changes were saved. Find the file in the file systemShow its location in Explorer or Finder. Change the editor theme or fontChoose one visible cosmetic change, then return to the editor. Ready for the ladderYou can create, edit, run, locate and save a Python file.

Provided file · hello_setup.py

print("Hello from Higher Computing Science!")
print("Your Python tool is ready.")

Download and open the file. You do not need to type or change this script.

03

Challenge ladder

Build one small program and take it as far as you can. Use the Python patterns you already know. Complete a tier when your own run shows its checkpoint.

Bronze

Make it personal

Ask the user for one piece of information, then print a response that includes what they entered.

Self-check: enter two different answers. The printed response changes each time.

Start with the familiar pattern answer = input(...), then use answer in the message you print. Choose your own question and response.

Silver

Make a choice

Add a condition so the program gives one response for a particular input and a different response otherwise.

Self-check: test an input that follows each branch. You see both possible responses.

Compare the input in an if condition and place the alternative response under else. Test both routes before moving on.

Gold

Keep it running

Repeat the interaction and track one value across repeats: a score, count or running total.

Self-check: complete at least three repeats. The tracked value updates and is displayed.

Set the tracked value before the loop. Update it inside the loop, then display it where you can see the change. Reuse the loop style you know best.

Zero-entry option · a valid route

Run and customise a ready-made dice roller

If Bronze feels like a cold start today, download this script, run it, and make two surface changes—for example, change the messages and the number of rolls. Seeing your edited version run counts as useful progress.

Provided file · dice_roller.py

import random

print("Welcome to the dice roller")

for roll_number in range(3):
    result = random.randint(1, 6)
    print("You rolled", result)

print("All rolls complete")

04

Wrap-up

My session record

Tick one tool and the highest route you completed. Screenshot this card, print the page, or show it on screen before the end of the lesson.

SDD0 · PyCharm setup

Set up. Find your way around. Start coding.