Verify All Required Software for FastAPI Development – Complete Beginner's Guide

Before starting your FastAPI development journey, it's important to verify that all the required software has been installed correctly. Missing or incorrectly installed software can lead to unnecessary errors and delays during development.

In this lesson, you'll verify every tool installed so far and ensure your development environment is completely ready for building FastAPI applications.

By the end of this guide, your computer will be fully prepared for the next stage of the course.

Why Verify All Software?

Verifying your software installation helps you:

Ensure every application is installed correctly.
Detect installation problems early.
Confirm version compatibility.
Prevent development errors.
Save time during the course.
Make troubleshooting much easier.

Professional developers always verify their development environment before starting a new project.

Software Checklist

Before continuing, make sure you have installed the following software.

Software	Required	Status
Visual Studio Code	✅ Yes	Verify
Python	✅ Yes	Verify
Python Extension	✅ Yes	Verify
Pylance Extension	✅ Yes	Verify
Black Formatter	✅ Yes	Verify
Git for Windows	✅ Yes	Verify
MySQL Community Server	✅ Yes	Verify
MySQL Workbench	✅ Yes	Verify
Postman	✅ Yes	Verify
Google Chrome	✅ Yes	Verify

If every item is installed, continue with the verification steps below.

Step 1 – Verify Visual Studio Code

Open Visual Studio Code.

Check the following:

VS Code opens successfully.
The Explorer panel is visible.
The Terminal opens correctly.
Extensions panel is accessible.

Open the integrated terminal.

Shortcut:

code

Ctrl + `

If the terminal opens successfully, Visual Studio Code is working correctly.

Step 2 – Verify Python Installation

Open Command Prompt.

Run:

code

python --version

Example output:

code

Python 3.14.0

Note: Your version number may be different.

Next, verify pip:

code

pip --version

Example:

code

pip 26.x.x

Both commands should display version information.

Step 3 – Verify Python Extension

Open Visual Studio Code.

Click the Extensions icon.

Search for:

code

Python

You should see:

code

Python (Microsoft)

with the status:

code

Installed

Step 4 – Verify Pylance

In the Extensions panel, search for:

code

Pylance

Verify that its status is:

code

Installed

Pylance provides intelligent code completion and error detection.

Step 5 – Verify Black Formatter

Search for:

code

Black Formatter

Verify that it is installed.

Open any Python file.

Press:

code

Shift + Alt + F

The code should automatically format if Black is configured as the default formatter.

Step 6 – Verify Git

Open Command Prompt.

Run:

code

git --version

Example output:

code

git version 2.51.0.windows.1

Next, verify Git configuration.

code

git config --list

You should see your username and email if they have been configured.

Step 7 – Verify MySQL Server

Open Command Prompt.

Run:

code

mysql --version

Example output:

code

mysql Ver 9.x.x for Win64

Next, open:

code

MySQL Command Line Client

Enter your root password.

If you see:

code

mysql>

the MySQL Server is working correctly.

Step 8 – Verify MySQL Workbench

Open:

code

MySQL Workbench

Connect using your saved connection.

Run:

code

SELECT VERSION();

Example output:

code

9.x.x

This confirms that MySQL Workbench can communicate with the MySQL Server.

Step 9 – Verify Postman

Open:

code

Postman

Create a new request.

Method:

code

GET

URL:

code

https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts/1

Click:

code

Send

If a JSON response appears, Postman is working correctly.

Step 10 – Verify Google Chrome

Open Google Chrome.

Visit:

code

https://www.google.com

If the website opens successfully, Chrome is installed correctly.

Step 11 – Verify Development Workspace

Open File Explorer.

Verify that your workspace folder exists.

Example:

code

C:\Development

code

D:\Development

Your folder structure should look similar to:

code

Development
│
├── FastAPI
├── Python
├── Laravel
├── React
└── Practice

Step 12 – Verify Visual Studio Code Workspace

Open Visual Studio Code.

Select:

code

File → Open Folder

Open:

code

Development

Verify that the folder appears in the Explorer panel.

Complete Verification Table

Software	Verification Command / Method	Expected Result
Visual Studio Code	Open application	Opens successfully
Python	`python --version`	Python version displayed
pip	`pip --version`	pip version displayed
Python Extension	Extensions panel	Installed
Pylance	Extensions panel	Installed
Black Formatter	Format a Python file	Code formatted
Git	`git --version`	Git version displayed
MySQL Server	`mysql --version`	MySQL version displayed
MySQL Workbench	`SELECT VERSION();`	Database version displayed
Postman	Send GET request	JSON response received
Google Chrome	Open browser	Browser opens normally
Development Folder	File Explorer	Folder exists

Common Problems

Python Not Found

Example:

code

'python' is not recognized...

Solution

Restart your computer.
Verify Python is installed.
Ensure Python is added to the system PATH.

Git Not Recognized

Verify Git is installed and added to the Windows PATH.

Restart Command Prompt.

MySQL Cannot Connect

Check:

MySQL Server is running.
Root password is correct.
Port 3306 is available.

Postman Cannot Send Requests

Verify:

Internet connection.
Correct API URL.
API server is running (for local APIs).

VS Code Cannot Detect Python

Open Command Palette:

code

Ctrl + Shift + P

Run:

code

Python: Select Interpreter

Choose your installed Python version.

Best Practices

Keep all software updated.
Verify installations after every update.
Use official download sources.
Restart your computer after major installations.
Store projects inside your Development workspace.
Back up important projects using Git and GitHub.

Summary

Congratulations! You have successfully verified every required tool for FastAPI development.

Your development environment is now fully prepared. You have:

Installed and verified Visual Studio Code
Installed Python and pip
Configured essential VS Code extensions
Installed Git
Installed MySQL Server and MySQL Workbench
Installed Postman
Installed Google Chrome
Created a professional Development Workspace

You are now ready to start building your first FastAPI application.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why should I verify all software before starting FastAPI?

It ensures your development environment is correctly configured and helps prevent installation-related errors later in the course.

What should I do if one of the tools is not working?

Reinstall the software from its official website, restart your computer if necessary, and verify that it has been added to your system correctly.

Do I need to verify the software after every update?

It is a good practice, especially after updating Python, Git, MySQL, or Visual Studio Code.

Is this setup suitable for professional development?

Yes. This development environment is suitable for learning FastAPI and is commonly used for professional Python backend development.

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