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What is Python?

What is Python?​

Completely new to programming all together? New to programming

Python is a high-level, general-purpose programming language that emphasizes code readability and simplicity. It was created by Guido van Rossum and first released in 1991. Python is an interpreted language, which means that the code is executed line by line, making it easier to debug and test.

Key features of Python:

  1. Easy to learn and use: Python has a clean and straightforward syntax, making it an excellent language for beginners. Its simplicity allows developers to focus on problem-solving rather than getting bogged down in complex language structures.

  2. Versatile: Python is used in a wide range of applications, including web development, scientific computing, data analysis, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and more. It is also popular for scripting and automation tasks.

  3. Interpreted: Python code is executed directly by the interpreter, without the need for a separate compilation step. This allows for faster development cycles and easier debugging.

  4. Dynamically-typed: In Python, you don't need to declare variable types explicitly. The interpreter infers the type based on the value assigned to the variable, allowing for more flexibility in coding.

  5. Object-oriented: Python supports object-oriented programming (OOP) paradigms, allowing you to create classes, objects, and methods. It also supports other programming paradigms, such as procedural and functional programming.

    1. Check out OOP Basics before jumping into python if you want to learn more, it isn't strictly required in python but in many cases can help you create more maintainable and reusable code.

  6. Extensive standard library: Python comes with a large standard library that provides a wide range of built-in functions and modules for tasks like file I/O, networking, string processing, and more. This eliminates the need to rely on external libraries for many common tasks.

  7. Third-party packages: Python has a vast ecosystem of third-party packages and frameworks available through the Python Package Index (PyPI). These packages extend Python's functionality and make it easy to integrate with other tools and technologies. When you use "Import" in your code, you are using a package from somewhere that isn't in your current program file.

  8. Cross-platform: Python code can be run on various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it highly portable. It can even run in your browser using Brython (Browser Python), which this course utilizes to assist in teaching you python.

  9. Open-source: Python is open-source software, which means that the source code is freely available, and anyone can contribute to its development or create their own version of the language.

  10. Community and support: Python has a large and active community of developers who contribute to its development, create libraries and frameworks, and provide support through forums, mailing lists, and online resources.

Python's philosophy emphasizes simplicity, readability, and expressiveness. It follows the principle of "There should be one—and preferably only one—obvious way to do it." Python code is often described as "executable pseudocode" due to its clarity and readability.

Python is widely used in academia, industry, and scientific communities. It has become one of the most popular programming languages worldwide, and its popularity continues to grow due to its versatility, ease of use, and powerful features.

In summary, Python is a versatile, easy-to-learn, and powerful programming language that can be used for a wide range of applications. Its simplicity, extensive standard library, and large community make it an excellent choice for beginners and experienced developers alike.