Python is an object oriented, high level, most popular programming language. It was created by Guido Van Rossum and released in 1991.
Python is easy to learn and simple to use. Its syntax is in English language that helps a beginner or programmer to easily understand and focus on the logic rather than focusing on repetitive use of syntax.
Python has evolved as a very useful language. It is used for:
- System scripting
- System development
- Web development
- Mathematics etc
It is being used in Robotics, Scientific purposes (by NASA), Search engines (Google), you tube etc.
Features:
- Easy to use and read: Python has a simple syntax similar to simple English language, making an ideal language for an experienced as well as a beginner. Its simplicity lead to faster development and reduce the chances of errors.
- High level language: It is a high level language means it is a human readable language.
- Different plateform compatibility: Python works on different plateforms (like: Windows, Mac, Linux, Raspberry, pi etc)
- Compiled and Interpreted: Python code first get compiled into bytecode and then interpreted line by line. It interpretes and executes the codes line by line. This makes the program easy to debug.
- Object Oriented Language: It can be treated in a procedural way, an object oriented way or a functional way. It refers to everything as an object including numbers and strings.
- Case Sensitive Language: It is a case sensitive programming language, which means PRINT and print are two different words for Python.
- Dynamically Typed Language: The data type of a variable is determined during run-time. There is no need to specify the types of data during writing codes.
- Garbase Collected Language: It automatically manages memory allocation and deallocation. It means that a Python programmer doesn't need to worry about the manually freeing up the memory, when he finished with an object. The garbase collector automatically decides which objects are still in use and which are not in use and it will free up the memory occupied by the unused objects.
- Open Source Language: Python is an open source, cost saving programming language
[Syntax : Rules to write program]
Python syntax compared to other programming languages.
- Python uses new lines to complete a command, whereas other programming languages use semicolon or parenthese.
- Python relies on indentation, using white space to define scope; such as scope of loops, functions and classes where as others use curly brackets for this purpose.
Excercises:
1. Who has developed Python?
2. Why Python is called Plateform independent language?
3. List the important features of Python.
