Differences between revisions 1 and 77 (spanning 76 versions)
Revision 1 as of 2004-10-11 21:29:31
Size: 2336
Comment: Create page
Revision 77 as of 2019-09-18 08:49:19
Size: 2782
Editor: ChrisM
Comment: Grammarly check (fix writing issues) + style checker.
Deletions are marked like this. Additions are marked like this.
Line 1: Line 1:
Python is a clear and powerful object-oriented programming language,
comparable to Perl, Tcl, Scheme, or Java.
Python is a clear and powerful object-oriented programming language, comparable to Perl, Ruby, Scheme, or Java.
Line 6: Line 5:
     * Python uses an elegant syntax for readable programs.
     * Python is an agile language that makes it easy to get your
     program working. This makes Python an ideal language for prototype
     development and other ad-hoc programming tasks, without
     compromising maintainability.
     * A variety of basic data types are available: numbers (integers,
     floating point, complex, and unlimited-length long integers),
     strings (both ASCII and Unicode), lists, dictionaries.
     * Python supports object-oriented programming with classes
     and multiple inheritance.
     * Code can be grouped into modules and packages.
     * The language supports raising and catching exceptions, resulting
     in cleaner error handling.
     * Data types are strongly but dynamically typed. Mixing
     incompatible types (e.g. attempting to add a string and a number)
     causes an exception to be raised.
     * Python contains advanced programming features such as generators
     and list comprehensions.
     * Automatic garbage collection frees you from the hassles of memory
     management.
     * The large standard library supports many common programming tasks
     such as connecting to web servers, regular expressions, and file
     handling.
     * Python's interactive mode makes it easy to test short snippets of
     code. There's also a bundled development environment called IDLE.
     * The Python interpreter is easily extended by adding new modules
     implemented in a compiled language such as C or C++.
     * The interpreter can also be embedded into an application to
     provide a programmable interface.
     * Python runs on many different computers and operating systems:
     Windows, MacOS, many brands of Unix, OS/2, ...
     * Python is copyrighted but placed under [http://www.python.org/psf/license.html an open source license]
     meaning that Python can be freely
     used and distributed, even for commercial purposes.
 * Uses an elegant syntax, making the programs you write easier to read.
 * Is an easy-to-use language that makes it simple to get your program working. This makes Python ideal for prototype development and other ad-hoc programming tasks, without compromising maintainability.
 * Comes with a large standard library that supports many common programming tasks such as connecting to web servers, searching text with regular expressions, reading and modifying files.
 * Python's interactive mode makes it easy to test short snippets of code. There's also a bundled development environment called IDLE.
 * Is easily extended by adding new modules implemented in a compiled language such as C or C++.
 * Can also be embedded into an application to provide a programmable interface.
 * Runs anywhere, including [[https://www.python.org/downloads/mac-osx/|Mac OS X]], [[https://www.python.org/downloads/windows/|Windows]], [[https://docs.python.org/3/using/unix.html|Linux]], and [[https://docs.python.org/3/using/unix.html|Unix]], with unofficial builds also available for [[Android]] and iOS.
 * Is free software in two senses. It doesn't cost anything to download or use Python, or to include it in your application. Python can also be freely modified and re-distributed because while the language is copyrighted it's available under [[http://www.python.org/psf/license/|an open-source license]].
Line 41: Line 14:
To begin learning the Python language, you should download the Python
interpreter (["BeginnersGuide/Download"]) and read a tutorial (["BeginnersGuide/NonProgrammers"]).
Some programming-language features of Python are:

 * A variety of basic data types are available: numbers (floating point, complex, and unlimited-length long integers), strings (both ASCII and Unicode), lists, and dictionaries.
 * Python supports object-oriented programming with classes and multiple inheritances.
 * Code can be grouped into modules and packages.
 * The language supports raising and catching exceptions, resulting in cleaner error handling.
 * Data types are strongly and dynamically typed. Mixing incompatible types (e.g. attempting to add a string and a number) causes an exception to be raised, so errors are caught sooner.
 * Python contains advanced programming features such as generators and list comprehensions.
 * Python's automatic memory management frees you from having to manually allocate and free memory in your code.

See the SimplePrograms collection of short programs, gradually increasing in length, which shows off Python's syntax and readability.

Writing Pythonic code is not hard---but you have to get used to the (PEP) code style rules. You can test, check, and improve your code style at online resources such as [[http://pythonchecker.com/|Pythonchecker.com]].

Python is a clear and powerful object-oriented programming language, comparable to Perl, Ruby, Scheme, or Java.

Some of Python's notable features:

  • Uses an elegant syntax, making the programs you write easier to read.
  • Is an easy-to-use language that makes it simple to get your program working. This makes Python ideal for prototype development and other ad-hoc programming tasks, without compromising maintainability.
  • Comes with a large standard library that supports many common programming tasks such as connecting to web servers, searching text with regular expressions, reading and modifying files.
  • Python's interactive mode makes it easy to test short snippets of code. There's also a bundled development environment called IDLE.
  • Is easily extended by adding new modules implemented in a compiled language such as C or C++.
  • Can also be embedded into an application to provide a programmable interface.
  • Runs anywhere, including Mac OS X, Windows, Linux, and Unix, with unofficial builds also available for Android and iOS.

  • Is free software in two senses. It doesn't cost anything to download or use Python, or to include it in your application. Python can also be freely modified and re-distributed because while the language is copyrighted it's available under an open-source license.

Some programming-language features of Python are:

  • A variety of basic data types are available: numbers (floating point, complex, and unlimited-length long integers), strings (both ASCII and Unicode), lists, and dictionaries.
  • Python supports object-oriented programming with classes and multiple inheritances.
  • Code can be grouped into modules and packages.
  • The language supports raising and catching exceptions, resulting in cleaner error handling.
  • Data types are strongly and dynamically typed. Mixing incompatible types (e.g. attempting to add a string and a number) causes an exception to be raised, so errors are caught sooner.
  • Python contains advanced programming features such as generators and list comprehensions.
  • Python's automatic memory management frees you from having to manually allocate and free memory in your code.

See the SimplePrograms collection of short programs, gradually increasing in length, which shows off Python's syntax and readability.

Writing Pythonic code is not hard---but you have to get used to the (PEP) code style rules. You can test, check, and improve your code style at online resources such as Pythonchecker.com.

BeginnersGuide/Overview (last edited 2022-11-22 00:31:36 by AtmanAn)

Unable to edit the page? See the FrontPage for instructions.