About Python

Overview 

Python, first released on February 20, 1991, is a high-level, object-oriented, general purpose programming language. Its implementation began in December 1989 by at Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (a research center focusing on math and computer science) in the Netherlands. The language was named after the BBC TV show Monty Python's Flying Circus. Python has an easy-to-use syntax, focused on code reliability. It has various uses, such as server-side web and mobile app development, desktop app and software development, processing big data, performing mathematical computations, and writing system scripts. It is also used by thousands of organizations, including Google, BuzzFeed, Facebook, Microsoft, Dropbox, UBER, NASA, IBM, and hundreds of universities around the world.

Inventor 


Python was created by Dutch programmer Guido van Rossum. Van Rossum was born and raised in the Netherlands, where he received a master's degree in mathematics and computer science from the University of Amsterdam in 1982. He later worked for various research institutes, such as Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI), United States National Institute of Standards and Technology, and also Corporation for National Research Initiatives. While working at the CWI, Van Rossum helped develop the ABC programming language.  He has also done work at Google and Dropbox. Van Rossum was given the title of Python's "Benevolent Dictator For Life" (BDFL), a title the Python community gave him to reflect his long-term commitment as the project's chief decision-maker. He took on sole responsibility for the project, as the lead developer, until July 12, 2018, when he announced his "permanent vacation" from his responsibilities as BDFL.

Purpose 

Python was conceived as a successor to the ABC language. The language aims to make code readable through clear, logical lines of code. Python strives for a simpler, less-cluttered syntax and grammar while giving developers a choice in their coding methodology. In 1999, Van Rossum highlighted the following as his goals for the Python:
  • Code which is as understandable as the plain English.
  • Open source, so everyone can contribute to its development.
  • Suitability for the everyday tasks, to allow shorter development times.
  • Easy and intuitive language as powerful as other major competitors.
In contrast to other languages' emphasis on "there is more than one way to do it", Python embraces a "there should be one—and preferably only one—obvious way to do it" design philosophy.


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Comments

  1. Prof PalmerJanuary 21, 2020 at 3:49 AM

    Hey, I guess if you are "Benevolent Dictator for Life", you can choose to take a "Permanent Vacation" if you so desire.

    How does Python handle the execution issue ofslow interpretation vs. the fast compilation ?

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    Replies
    1. Jasmine NelsonJanuary 27, 2020 at 7:38 PM

      Great question!
      Most languages are categorized as either interpreted or compiled. Python is generally considered interpreted. However, it technically falls under both, as it is first compiled and then interpreted. In Python, the source code is compiled into a simpler form called bytecode. This bytecode is then executed (or interpreted) in a VM.
      The program being compiled first and then interpreted may sound inefficient, but Python has a way of solving this. It creates a pre-compiled bytecode file the first time you run a Python script. For all future executions, Python references this file so it doesn’t have to recompile the same source file.

      Delete
  2. SafkoJanuary 26, 2020 at 9:11 AM

    Python is obviously a very well known and well populated language across the industry. With that being said, what separates Python from other languages and has made it an industry staple? I am looking forward to learning more about this language and reading your posts as I myself hope to learn the language myself!

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    Replies
    1. Jasmine NelsonFebruary 27, 2020 at 10:40 AM

      Python is a general-purpose language, which means it's designed to be easy to read and write. It's famous for its simple programming syntax and code readability. These are factors that make coding in Python lot easier and efficient, especially for beginners, which is why it has become an industry staple.

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  3. Ron BrownFebruary 21, 2020 at 9:45 AM

    Do you happen to know when VPython was created? I use it in my Physics Lab Course right now, just curious. I do know that it has similarities to Python but it seems bit different

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    Replies
    1. Jasmine NelsonFebruary 27, 2020 at 10:50 AM

      VPython, written by David Scherer when he was a sophomore in computer science at Carnegie Mellon University, was created and released in 2000. This was 9 years after Python was created. While the syntax of Python and VPython are identical, VPython includes a 3D graphics module called Visual, so it has some additional functions not native to Python.

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