Introduction to Python for begginers

Introduction to Python

Why Python was created?

In late 1980s, Guido Van Rossum was working on the Amoeba distributed operating system group and the problem with that was less extensibility. So, he wanted to create a new language that was must be syntax friendly which could access the Amoeba system calls. So, he decided to create a language that was extensible and the new developed language was named as python.

 

 

Version Release Data

Python 1.0 (first standard release)       January 1994

Python 1.6 (Last minor version)            September 5, 2000

Python 2.0 (Introduced list comprehensions)           October 16, 2000

Python 2.7 (Last minor version)            July 3, 2010

Python 3.0 (Emphasis on removing duplicative constructs and module)          December 3, 2008

Python 3.5 (Last updated version)     September 13, 2015

 

Why should a user be choosing Python over other languages:

 

1.) Easy Elegant Syntax

Programming in Python is fun.

The syntax feels natural.

Easier to understand and write Python code.

Illustration of an code:

     

x = 10

y = 20

sum = x + y

print(sum)

 

Note: Copy and Paste Code into Compiler

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2.) Not overly strict :

 

You dont need to define the type of a variable in Python. Also, it's not necessary to add semicolon at the end of the statement.

Python enforces you to follow good practices (like proper indentation).

3.) Expressiveness of the language

 

Python allows you to write programs having greater functionality with fewer lines of code. Here's a link to the source code of Tic-tac-toe game with a graphical interface and a smart

 

Story behind the name Python

Guido van Rossum, the creator of the Python language, named the language after the BBC show "Monty Python's Flying Circus". He doesn't particularly like snakes that kill animals for food by winding their long bodies around them and crushing them.

 

 

Features of Python

1) Easy to Learn

As you will see, Python is extremely easy to get started with. Python has an extraordinarily simple syntax, as already mentioned.

 

2) Free and Open Source

Python is an example of a FLOSS (Free/Libré and Open Source Software). In simple terms, you can freely distribute copies of this software, read its source code, make changes to it, and use pieces of it in new free programs. FLOSS is based on the concept of a community which shares knowledge. This is one of the reasons why Python is so good - it has been created and is constantly improved by a community who just want to see a better Python.

 

3) High-level Language

When you write programs in Python, you never need to bother about the low-level details such as managing the memory used by your program, etc.

 

4) Portable

Due to its open-source nature, Python has been ported to (i.e. changed to make it work on) many platforms. All your Python programs can work on any of these platforms without requiring any changes at all if you are careful enough to avoid any system-dependent features.

 

5) Object Oriented

Python supports procedure-oriented programming as well as object-oriented programming. In procedure-oriented languages, the program is built around procedures or functions which are nothing but reusable pieces of programs. In object-oriented languages, the program is built around objects which combine data and functionality. Python has a very powerful but simplistic way of doing OOP, especially when compared to big languages like C++ or Java.

 

5) Extensive Libraries

The Python Standard Library is huge indeed. It can help you do various things involving regular expressions,documentation generation, unit testing, threading, databases, web browsers, CGI, FTP, email, XML, XML-RPC, HTML, WAV files, cryptography, GUI (graphical user interfaces), and other system-dependent stuff. Remember, all this is always available wherever Python is installed. This is called the Batteries Included philosophy of Python.

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