Python is one of the most popular and beginner-friendly programming languages in the world. It is known for it’s simple syntax and versatility, which means you can use it for web development, data analysis, automation, machine learning, and more. Whether you are just starting your coding journey or want to build advanced projects, Python is a great choice. But why? I don’t know, but it is the most loved programming language in the world.
Table of Contents
What is Python?
Python is a high-level programming language, as it is designed to be easy for humans to read, write, and understand and you don’t need to worry about the low-level details of the computer memory. Instead of dealing with complicated machine-level instructions (like 0’s and 1’s), Python uses simple, human-friendly syntax. Python was created by Guido van Rossum, a Dutch computer programmer. He began working on the language in 1989 as a hobby project and released it publicly in 1991.
For example, writing:
print('hello, world!')is much easier than writing complex machine code to display the same message.
Python is an interpreted language; unlike compiled languages like C or C++, Python code is executed line by line by the interpreter, which means it runs one line at a time. This makes it easier to test and debug. You don’t need to compile Python code into a separate executable file. You just run the script directly using a Python interpreter. This makes Python simpler and more flexible to work with, especially for beginners.
Python is an object-oriented language, as it is based on the concept of objects and classes. An object is a real-world entity that has its own attributes and methods. Classes are the blueprint for creating objects. For example, a car object might have attributes like color and model and methods like drive or stop.
In object-oriented programming languages, complex problems are broken down into small structural blocks called objects, and these objects interact with each other to solve the problem.
In short, Python’s object-oriented features help you to write more organized, reusable, and easy-to-understand code.
Python is a dynamically typed language because you don’t need to specify the types of a variable when you create it. The Python interpreter automatically assigns a variable type at runtime based on the variable value at that time, and you can change the type of a variable during the program.
For example, you can start with x = 5 (a number) and later change it to x = "Hello" (a string), and Python will handle it without any issues. This makes Python flexible and easier to use, as you don’t need to worry about declaring types.
Python is a garbage collection language, as it manages memory automatically by cleaning up unused data. When you create objects or variables in Python, they use memory. When they are no longer needed, Python garbage collector frees up that memory so it can be used for other things. This process happens automatically, so you don’t have to manually remove or manage the memory. It helps to prevent memory problems and makes coding easier.
Python is a general-purpose programming language, as it is used in almost all technology, including web development, data analysis, creating games, or automating tasks.
Applications of Python
- Web Development: Python is used to build websites and web applications. Popular frameworks like Django and Flask make this easier.
- Data Science & Analysis: Python is great for analyzing data, creating visualizations, and working with big data. Libraries like Pandas, NumPy, and Matplotlib help with this.
- Automation: You can write scripts to automate repetitive tasks, like organizing files, sending emails, or updating data.
- Machine Learning & AI: Python is widely used to build AI models, from basic to advanced. Libraries like TensorFlow and Scikit-learn are popular for this.
- Game Development: Python can be used to create simple games with libraries like Pygame.
- Software Development: Python is used to develop desktop applications and tools.
In short, Python is used for a wide range of tasks.
Types of Python
Python is a flexible language, and it comes in different versions and types, each designed for specific uses and each having its own advantages and disadvantages.
- CPython: CPython is widely used and the standard version of Python. It’s written in the C programming language, and you can get this from the official website. It is fast, reliable, and works on nearly all types of computers and operating systems.
- MicroPython: It is a version of Python that runs on microcontrollers, making it perfect for small devices.
- Jython: Jython is written in Java. You can use Java libraries and frameworks alongside Python code.
- IronPython: It allows you to use Python code to interact with .NET applications and libraries. It’s useful if you want to combine Python with C# or other .NET languages.
- PyPy: PyPy is used to make Python code run faster. It’s an alternative version of Python. Instead of interpreting your Python code line by line like regular Python (CPython), PyPy compiles it into machine code while it runs, which speeds up the execution.
- RubyPython: RubyPython allows Python and Ruby to work together in a single application.
- Brython: Brython, known as Browser Python, brings Python into the browser environment, it is an implementation of Python that runs directly in web browsers, allowing Python code to be executed on the client-side (in the browser) instead of relying on traditional server-side scripting languages like JavaScript.
Conclusion
I highly recommend you learn Python to start your programming career, as it is easy to learn and use, and it will provide you with an exploration of a wide range of technology.
