Introduction to Python

Why Python?

Python is one of the fastest-growing programming languages in the world. Its popularity is driven by:

A large number of libraries and frameworks.
Wide adoption by companies across industries.
Its versatility in multiple domains such as:
- Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence
- Web Development
- GUI Applications
- Software Development

Because of this, Python is often called a general-purpose language.

What is Python?

Python is a high-level, interpreted, and object-oriented programming language.

Key Characteristics:

Interpreted: Code is executed line by line (no need for compilation).
Object-Oriented: Supports classes, objects, and principles like inheritance and encapsulation.
Supports Multiple Paradigms:
- Procedural Programming
- Object-Oriented Programming
Beginner-Friendly: Its syntax is simple and closer to natural language, making it the easiest programming language to learn and use.

History of Python

Created by: Guido van Rossum in 1989.
Name Origin: Inspired by the British comedy show “Monty Python’s Flying Circus”.
First Release: Python 1.0 in January 1994.

Major Versions:

Python 1.0 → January 1994
Python 2.0 → October 2000
Python 3.0 → December 2008

Note: Python 3.x is not fully backward-compatible with Python 2.x, which is why both versions existed side by side for a long time. However, Python 3.x is the latest and recommended version with more features and long-term support.

Python in the Industry

Python is widely used by top companies:

Google, Dropbox, YouTube, Yahoo → use Python as a core or support language.
Reddit → entirely built with Python.

This strong industry adoption makes Python one of the most valuable skills for developers today.

Python’s simplicity, versatility, and strong community support make it an essential language for modern development. We will focus on Python 3.x, as it is the latest version with powerful features for real-world applications.