Introduction to Python

Python is a high-level scripting language that combines interpretation, compilation, interactivity and object-oriented.

Python is designed to be highly readable. Compared with other languages, it often uses English keywords and some punctuation marks in other languages. It has a more distinctive grammatical structure than other languages.

Python is an interpreted language: This means that there is no compilation link in the development process. Similar to PHP and Perl languages.

Python is an interactive language: This means that you can write your program directly and interactively at a Python prompt.

Python is an object-oriented language: This means that Python supports object-oriented style or programming techniques where code is encapsulated in objects.

Python is a Beginner’s Language: Python is a great language for beginning programmers, supporting a wide range of application development, from simple word processing to WWW browsers to games.

History of Python development

Python was designed by Guido van Rossum at the National Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science in the Netherlands in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Python itself was developed from many other languages, including ABC, Modula-3, C, C++, Algol-68, SmallTalk, Unix shell and other scripting languages, etc.

Like the Perl language, Python source code also follows the GPL (GNU General Public License) agreement.

Now Python is maintained by a core development team, with Guido van Rossum still playing a vital role in guiding its progress.

Python Features

　

1. Easy to learn: Python has relatively few keywords, a simple structure, and a well-defined syntax, making it easier to learn.

2. Easy to read: Python code is more clearly defined.

3. Easy to maintain: The success of Python is that its source code is quite easy to maintain.

4. An extensive standard library: One of Python’s biggest advantages is its rich library, which is cross-platform and compatible with UNIX, Windows and Macintosh.

5. Interactive mode: Interactive mode is supported, you can input languages ​​from the terminal and get the results, interactive testing and debugging code snippets.

6. Portable: Python can run on a variety of hardware platforms and has the same interface on all platforms.

7. Extensible: Low-level modules can be added to the Python interpreter. These modules allow programmers to add or customize their own tools to be more efficient.

8. Database: Python provides interfaces to all major commercial databases.

9.GUI Programming: Python supports GUI that can be created and ported to many system calls.

10. Scalability: Compared to shell scripts, Python provides a better structure and supports large programs.