First post, first Python zero experience

[Traaaaavis]

So as the title says this is my first Python (and snake altogether) and I guess you could say I adopted it. A buddy of my didn't want the responsibility anymore so I said I'd take him. I don't know really much as stated above but I've wanted one for a while now. He gave me a pretty dirty tank with a water dish in it and that's it. Apparently it has a heating pad under the bedding,which I plan on swapping out with new stuff asap. I believe he's neglected the snake for a month or so and I'm curious on what I should do. Any and all advice is welcome and greatly appreciated. Do I clean the tank inside and out? Should I feed it right away? I read somewhere that I should try and handle him for about a week? Any thoughts on that. Have patience with me as I am a new Python owner. Thanks in advance.