However, Python is provided there mainly for the sake of using it as a component in a .NET application, not as a way to install a standalone instance of Python for general use.

We recommend using: python -m pip install <python module name> instead of the usual pip install <python module name> since the former will keep all pip installed modules in your conda environment tree ...

You're taking a new programming class this fall, and you don't know anything about code. Python is taught widely in schools, and it's one of the most loved programming languages because it's simple.