What is Python ?

Python is a popular programming language. It was created by Guido van Rossum, and released in 1991.

It is used for:

• web development (server-side)
• software development
• mathematics
• system scripting

What can Python do?

• Python can be used on a server to create web applications.
• Python can be used alongside software to create workflows.
• Python can connect to database systems. It can also read and modify files.
• Python can be used to handle big data and perform complex mathematics.
• Python can be used for rapid prototyping, or for production-ready software development.

Why Python?

• Python works on different platforms (Windows, Mac, Linux, Raspberry Pi, etc).
• Python has a simple syntax similar to the English language.
• Python has syntax that allows developers to write programs with fewer lines.
• Python runs on an interpreter system, meaning code executes immediately — fast prototyping.
• Python supports procedural, object-oriented, and functional programming styles.

Good to know :

• The most recent major version is Python 3, which is used in this tutorial.
• In this tutorial, Python is written in a text editor. You can also use IDEs like Thonny, PyCharm, NetBeans or Eclipse for managing larger projects.

Python Syntax compared to other programming languages

• Python was designed for readability and has similarities to the English language, influenced by mathematics.
• Python uses new lines to complete a command, unlike other languages that use semicolons or parentheses.
• Python relies on indentation to define scope (loops, functions, classes), whereas other languages use curly braces.