Introduction and History of Python

Python is a high-level dynamic programming language that is open source and free of charge. An interpreter transforms the source code into machine code. Furthermore, it supports both object-oriented and procedure-oriented programming. This language is highly readable and incorporates English keywords. Let’s discuss the list of topics written below in more detail.

Table of Content

• Introduction to Python
• Key Features of Python
• Python Version List
• Python Syntax Compared to Other Programming Languages
• Usage of Python
• The Future of Python

Introduction to Python

Python evolved into a programming language in the late 1980s when Guido Van Rossum implemented it at CWI Netherlands in December 1989. In February 1991, he released version 0.9.0 of its code to alternate sources, marking the beginning of Python’s journey.

Python’s evolution

• 1994: With the launch of Python 1.0, features like lambda, map, filter, and reduce were introduced.
• 2000: With the launch of Python 2.0, list comprehension and an advanced garbage collection system were introduced.
• 2008: With the launch of Python 3.0 (“Py3K), it addresses key weaknesses in the language.

Python was strongly inspired by the ABC programming language, which introduced exception handling and interfaces with the Amoeba operating system. Other languages, like Modula-3, have also influenced the development of Python.

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Python Syntax Compared to Other Programming Languages

In Python, we use indentation instead of using curly braces, which allows us to make the code look cleaner and more readable. Indentations are spaces that we give to define the block of code.

Python syntax

if True:

    print("Hello, Python!")

C++ Syntax

if True

{

 cout<<”Hello World!”<<endl;

}

As we know, Python’s syntax is very similar to English. Let’s compare the code for printing anything as an output in Python and Java.

Python Syntax

print(‘Hello World!’)

Java Syntax

System.out.println("Hello world!");

Key Features of Python

• Easy to Learn: Python is excellent for beginners with no need to have prior knowledge. 
• High-Level Language: There is no need to be concerned about low-level details like memory management.
• Interpreted: It executes the code line-by-line, which allows:

Code to run across different platforms.

Changes can be made on the fly without having to restart programs.

• Cross-Platform: It operates seamlessly on Linux and macOS without requiring any modifications to Windows.
• Dynamically Typed: Variable types are checked at runtime (dynamically), eliminating the need to declare them.
• Object-oriented: Provides support for OOP concepts such as classes, inheritance, and polymorphism, resulting in modular, reusable, and maintainable code.
• Extensive Libraries: Comes with a vast set of libraries and modules for faster development.
• Open-Source: Free to use with a vast community contributing to its growth.
• High Demand: Popular in industries like AI, software development, finance, and cloud computing.

Python Version List