Introduction

Python's design philosophy emphasizes code readability with its use of significant whitespace. It was created by Guido van Rossum and first released in 1991. Python is a high-level, interpreted programming language known for its simplicity, versatility, and readability.

Key Language Features:
  • Interpreted Language: Python code is executed line by line by the Python interpreter, making it easy to debug and test.
  • Easy to Learn and Use: Python's syntax is simple and easy to understand, making it an ideal language for beginners and experienced developers alike.
  • Readable Syntax: Python emphasizes readability with its clean and intuitive syntax, using indentation to define code blocks instead of braces.
  • Dynamic Typing: Python uses dynamic typing, meaning you don't need to declare the type of a variable before using it. This allows for more flexibility but may require careful attention to variable types.
  • Duck Typing: Focuses on an object's behavior rather than its type. The idea is inspired by the saying "If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck." In Python, this means that the suitability of an object for a particular operation is determined by whether it supports the necessary methods or behaviors, rather than its explicit type.
Large Standard Library

Python comes with a large standard library that provides support for many common tasks, such as file I/O, networking, and regular expressions, reducing the need for external libraries.

Open Source and Community Driven

Python is open-source, which means its source code is freely available for anyone to use, modify, and distribute. It has a vibrant community of developers who contribute to its development and provide support through forums, mailing lists, and other channels.

Cross-platform Compatibility

Python is available for multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it highly versatile for developing applications that can run on different operating systems.

Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)

Python supports object-oriented programming paradigms, allowing developers to create reusable and modular code through classes and objects.

High-level Data Structures

Python provides built-in support for various high-level data structures such as lists, dictionaries, sets, and tuples, making it efficient for data manipulation and processing tasks.

Extensive Third-party Libraries

Python has a vast ecosystem of third-party libraries and frameworks that extend its functionality for specific purposes, such as web development (Django, Flask), scientific computing (NumPy, SciPy), and machine learning (TensorFlow, PyTorch).

Portability

Python code can be easily ported across different platforms without requiring significant changes, enhancing code reuse and maintainability.

Python Code Samples
  • Variable Definitions: A concept where a name(variable) is assigned a given value.

    <var_name>=<value>

    favoriteColor = turquoise

  • Print function: Is a program in function in Python.

    print("Hello, World!")

    "Hello, World!"

  • Type function: To check if a value is an Integer, Float, or Comlex number.

    type(numericValue)

    print(type(3))

    <class 'int'>

    *int=intagers are whole numbers

  • Float: Is a decimal number.

    print(type(2.22))

    <class 'float'<

  • Complex: Are numbers that have a real value and an imaginary value, here we use j.

    complex(3, 7)

    (3+7j)

    print(type(3+7j))

    <class 'complex'>

Conclusion

Python's simplicity, versatility, and extensive ecosystem make it a popular choice for a wide range of applications, from web development and data analysis to automation and scientific computing. Its readability and ease of learning make it an excellent language for both beginners and experienced developers alike.

Reference

The python content included in this technical document was generated using ChatGPT 3.5. The search criteria given to ChatGPT was, "Summary of Python for a technical document."

The code samples where created with the help of Estefania Cassingena Navone's article, "Python Code Example Handbook – Sample Script Coding Tutorial for Beginners" found on freeCodeCamp News!