Python is a versatile modern high-level language, the advantages of which include high performance of software solutions and structured, well readable code. Python’s syntax is as light as possible, allowing you to learn it in a relatively short time. The kernel has a very convenient structure and a wide list of built-in libraries allows you to use an impressive set of useful functions and features. It can be used to write applications as well as develop web services.
Python can support a wide range of application development styles, including being very comfortable with OOP and functional programming.
One of the most popular language interpreters is CPython, written in C. This development environment is distributed free of charge under a free license. The interpreter supports most popular platforms.
Python is actively developing. Approximately every 2 years, updates are released. An important feature of the language is the absence of such encoding standards as ANSI, ISO and some others, they work thanks to the interpreter.
Funny details
The developers of the language themselves have a certain sense of humor. They’ve developed a concept of Python programming philosophy called “The Zen of Python”. Basically, it is a set of basic principles that the developers of the language consider very important. You can learn them online, or get one at a time randomly once a day using the import this query.
The programming language borrowed its name from the popular in the 70s show Monty Python’s Flying Circus. But most users don’t know this and associate the name with a reptile. One of the goals of Python’s creators is to make programming simple and fun.
A bit of history
The author of Python is a programmer from the Netherlands.
The language began to be developed in the second half of the 1980s. The author of Python was a programmer from the Netherlands named Guido van Rossum. Initially, the language was supposed to be object-oriented. In fact, it was a scripting language, i.e. a scripting language. In February 1991, van Rossum published the source code of the language in a newsgroup.
The main factors in the success of Python were the successful choice of the place of presentation in the popular and mainstream professional community, combined with a really simple code and wide possibilities. Guido subsequently created a specialized PEP portal where there is regular discussion on developing and improving the product.
In 2008 a major language update appeared – Python 3.0. This version of the product is also known as Py3k. This version eliminated many key flaws in the kernel architecture. What was important – the new version of the product has maintained full compatibility with the older versions. Today developers support two lines – Python 3.x and 2.x
How have other languages influenced the development of Python
Python is not the “youngest” programming language, but it’s not too old either. At the time of its creation, there already existed such “monsters” as Pascal or C. And that’s why in creating the language the authors tried to take the best of the various platforms for developers. In fact, Python is a kind of “jam” of successful solutions from more than 8 different languages. For example, byte compilation appeared before Python was created, but it was very well integrated into it.
OS support
Python supports almost all common operating systems. It can work fine on handheld computers as well as on large servers. In case the platform becomes significantly outdated, it is excluded from kernel support. For example, versions of the language starting with 2.6 no longer work with Windows 95, 98 and ME platforms. If necessary, you can use older versions without using modern language tools. And then the application will also work with these operating systems. For older versions are periodically issued patches. The language can also work with the Java Virtual Machine.
Python tools
The language has a clearly structured semantic core and a fairly simple syntax. Everything written in this language is always easy to read. The language uses call-by-sharing when arguments need to be passed.
The set of operators in the language is quite standard. A handy feature of the syntax is the formatting of code text by dividing them into blocks using indents, which are created by pressing the “Space” and “Tab” keys. There are no curly or operator brackets in the syntax to denote the beginning and end of a block. This solution noticeably reduces the number of program body lines and teaches the programmer to maintain good style and neatness when writing code.
In 2018, some key terms were changed in Python, but it rather simplified the understanding. That’s why developers don’t have any problems when studying the documentation.