Python is a high-level, interpreted programming language known for its simplicity and readability. It was created by Guido van Rossum and first released in 1991. Python emphasizes code readability, which makes it easier to write and understand, reducing the cost of program maintenance.
Here are some key features and characteristics of Python:
- Readability: Python’s syntax is designed to be intuitive and expressive, using indentation and a clear, English-like syntax that makes the code easy to read and understand.
- Object-oriented: Python supports object-oriented programming (OOP) concepts, allowing users to define classes, create objects, and implement inheritance and polymorphism.
- Cross-platform compatibility: Python is available on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and others, making it highly portable.
- Extensive standard library: Python comes with a vast standard library that provides ready-to-use modules and functions for various tasks, such as file handling, networking, web development, database connectivity, and more.
- Interpreted language: Python is an interpreted language, meaning that the code is executed line by line at runtime, without the need for explicit compilation. This enables rapid development and testing.
- Dynamic typing: Python uses dynamic typing, allowing variables to be assigned values of different types during runtime. This feature provides flexibility but requires attention to variable types and potential type-related errors.
- Large and active community: Python has a large and active community of developers, contributing to its extensive ecosystem of libraries, frameworks, and resources. This community support makes it easier to find solutions, documentation, and assistance when needed.
Python is widely used for various applications, including web development, scientific computing, data analysis, artificial intelligence, machine learning, automation, scripting, and more. Its versatility and simplicity have made it a popular choice among both beginners and experienced developers.
To run Python code, you need a Python interpreter installed on your computer. There are different versions of Python available, with Python 3 being the most recent major version. You can write Python code using a text editor and execute it through the command line or by using integrated development environments (IDEs) such as PyCharm, Visual Studio Code, or Jupyter Notebook.
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History of python language
Python was created by Guido van Rossum in the late 1980s while he was working at the National Research Institute for Mathematics and Computer Science in the Netherlands. He started developing Python as a successor to the ABC programming language, with a focus on simplicity and ease of use.
The development of Python began in December 1989 when Guido van Rossum published the first version of the language, Python 0.9.0. It was named after the British comedy television show “Monty Python’s Flying Circus,” as Guido was a fan of the show and wanted a short, unique name for the language.
Python was designed to have a clean and readable syntax, using indentation to define code blocks, rather than relying on curly braces or keywords. Guido aimed to create a language that would be easy to learn and understand, promoting code maintainability and collaboration.
The early versions of Python gained popularity within the programming community, and in 2000, Python 2.0 was released. This version introduced several new features and improvements, such as list comprehensions and a garbage collector.
Python 3.0, a significant milestone in the language’s history, was released in December 2008. It included several backward-incompatible changes and language enhancements to address design flaws and inconsistencies in Python 2.x. However, due to the incompatibilities, the transition from Python 2 to Python 3 took time, and Python 2 continued to be used for several years.
To facilitate the transition, a period of coexistence called the “Python 2.7 sunsetting” was established. The Python Software Foundation (PSF) officially stopped supporting Python 2.7 as of January 1, 2020, encouraging users to migrate to Python 3.
Python’s popularity has grown steadily over the years, thanks to its simplicity, versatility, and strong community support. It has become one of the most widely used programming languages in various domains, including web development, data analysis, machine learning, scientific computing, automation, and more.
The Python community is vibrant, with a vast ecosystem of libraries, frameworks, and tools developed by individuals and organizations worldwide. The Python Software Foundation (PSF) plays a crucial role in overseeing the development and maintenance of Python, supporting the language’s growth and fostering community collaboration.
What is Python used for ?
Python is a versatile programming language that finds applications in various domains and industries. Some of the common uses of Python include:
- Web Development: Python offers several frameworks like Django, Flask, and Pyramid, which simplify web application development. It enables developers to build scalable, secure, and feature-rich web applications.
- Data Analysis and Visualization: Python has become popular in the field of data science and analytics. Libraries such as NumPy, Pandas, and SciPy provide powerful tools for data manipulation, analysis, and statistical modeling. Additionally, libraries like Matplotlib and Seaborn allow for data visualization and plotting.
- Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence: Python is widely used for machine learning and AI projects. Libraries like Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, Keras, and PyTorch provide efficient tools for developing and implementing machine learning models, neural networks, and deep learning algorithms.
- Scientific Computing: Python is extensively used in scientific computing and simulations. Libraries like SciPy, SymPy, and OpenCV offer functionalities for scientific computations, symbolic mathematics, and computer vision tasks.
- Scripting and Automation: Python’s simplicity and ease of use make it an excellent choice for scripting and automation tasks. It allows for automating repetitive tasks, interacting with operating systems, and writing scripts for system administration.
- Prototyping and Rapid Application Development (RAD): Python’s concise syntax and quick development cycles make it suitable for prototyping and rapid application development. It enables developers to iterate and build functional prototypes or minimum viable products (MVPs) efficiently.
- Game Development: Python has frameworks like Pygame that facilitate game development. It provides tools for creating 2D games and prototypes.
- Web Scraping: Python’s libraries, such as BeautifulSoup and Scrapy, enable web scraping, allowing developers to extract data from websites for analysis, research, or integration into other applications.
- Internet of Things (IoT): Python is used in IoT projects to control and monitor devices. Libraries like Adafruit CircuitPython provide simplified interfaces for working with IoT hardware.
- Desktop GUI Applications: Python offers libraries like Tkinter, PyQt, and wxPython, which allow developers to create cross-platform desktop applications with graphical user interfaces (GUIs).
These are just a few examples of what Python can be used for. Python’s flexibility, extensive libraries, and supportive community make it a powerful and popular choice for a wide range of applications and industries.
Features of Python
Python is a powerful and versatile programming language that offers a wide range of features. Here are some key features of Python:
- Simple and Readable Syntax: Python’s syntax is designed to be clean, intuitive, and easy to read. It emphasizes code readability by using indentation to define code blocks, rather than relying on explicit braces or keywords.
- Interpreted Language: Python is an interpreted language, meaning that code is executed line by line at runtime without prior compilation. This allows for rapid development and testing, as changes can be made and executed immediately.
- Object-Oriented Programming (OOP): Python supports object-oriented programming concepts, allowing developers to define classes, create objects, and implement inheritance, encapsulation, and polymorphism. OOP enables modular and reusable code organization.
- Dynamic Typing: Python uses dynamic typing, which means that variable types are inferred at runtime. Variables can hold values of different types, and their types can change during the execution of a program. This provides flexibility but requires attention to type-related errors.
- Strong Standard Library: Python has an extensive standard library that provides a wide range of modules and functions for various tasks, including file handling, networking, regular expressions, data serialization, and more. The standard library simplifies development by offering ready-to-use tools.
- Large Ecosystem of Third-Party Libraries: Python has a rich ecosystem of third-party libraries and frameworks that extend its capabilities. Popular libraries like NumPy, Pandas, Matplotlib, and Scikit-learn provide powerful tools for data analysis, scientific computing, and machine learning. Frameworks like Django and Flask simplify web development.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: Python is available on various platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and more. Python code can be written once and run on different operating systems without major modifications, providing flexibility and portability.
- Memory Management: Python handles memory management automatically through a garbage collector. Developers do not need to manually allocate or deallocate memory, reducing the risk of memory leaks and making memory management more convenient.
- Exception Handling: Python has built-in support for exception handling, allowing developers to catch and handle exceptions gracefully. This feature helps in writing robust and fault-tolerant code.
- Rapid Prototyping and Development: Python’s simplicity and high-level abstractions make it ideal for rapid prototyping and development. Its concise syntax and extensive libraries enable developers to quickly translate ideas into working prototypes or production-ready applications.
These features contribute to Python’s popularity and make it suitable for a wide range of applications, including web development, data analysis, machine learning, automation, scripting, and more. Python’s ease of use, readability, and extensive ecosystem have attracted a large and active community of developers, further enriching the language’s capabilities and resources.
Why Python Language is very popular ?
Python has gained immense popularity for several reasons, contributing to its widespread adoption among developers. Here are some key factors that make Python a popular programming language:
- Simplicity and Readability: Python’s syntax is designed to be simple, intuitive, and easy to read. The use of indentation for code blocks enhances code readability, reducing the chances of syntax errors and making the code more understandable for beginners and experienced developers alike.
- Versatility and Flexibility: Python is a versatile language that can be used for various purposes, including web development, data analysis, machine learning, automation, scripting, scientific computing, and more. Its extensive standard library and third-party libraries provide a wide range of tools and functionalities, enabling developers to accomplish diverse tasks efficiently.
- Large and Active Community: Python has a large and active community of developers, contributing to its growth and evolution. This community-driven support results in a vast ecosystem of libraries, frameworks, and resources that developers can leverage for their projects. The community also provides forums, tutorials, and online communities where developers can seek help, share knowledge, and collaborate.
- Extensive Libraries and Frameworks: Python boasts a rich collection of libraries and frameworks that simplify development tasks. Popular libraries like NumPy, Pandas, and Matplotlib enable efficient data manipulation, analysis, and visualization. Frameworks such as Django and Flask streamline web development, while TensorFlow and PyTorch provide robust platforms for machine learning and AI.
- Rapid Prototyping and Development: Python’s simplicity and expressiveness make it well-suited for rapid prototyping and development. Its concise syntax and extensive libraries allow developers to quickly transform ideas into working prototypes or minimum viable products (MVPs). This agility is particularly valuable in industries where quick iteration and time-to-market are critical.
- Cross-platform Compatibility: Python is available on various platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and others. This cross-platform compatibility ensures that developers can write code once and run it on different operating systems, making it easier to deploy applications across different environments.
- Industry Adoption and Job Opportunities: Python’s popularity has led to its widespread adoption across industries, including tech giants, startups, academia, and research institutions. As a result, there is a high demand for Python developers, creating numerous job opportunities and a strong career path for those proficient in the language.
- Educational Use: Python’s simplicity, readability, and beginner-friendly nature make it an ideal language for teaching programming. Many educational institutions and coding bootcamps use Python as a first programming language, which has further contributed to its popularity.
These factors, combined with Python’s emphasis on developer productivity and its supportive community, have led to its widespread popularity and continued growth in the programming world.
What need to start learning python language
To start learning Python, you will need a few essential resources and tools. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Python Interpreter: Install the Python interpreter on your computer. You can download the latest version of Python from the official Python website (https://www.python.org/downloads/). Python 3 is recommended as Python 2 has reached its end of life.
- Integrated Development Environment (IDE): While not strictly necessary, an IDE can enhance your coding experience. Some popular Python-specific IDEs include PyCharm, Visual Studio Code (with Python extension), and IDLE (which comes bundled with Python). These IDEs provide features like code completion, syntax highlighting, and debugging tools.
- Text Editor: If you prefer a simpler setup, you can use a text editor like Sublime Text, Atom, or Notepad++ to write your Python code. However, these editors lack some advanced features found in dedicated Python IDEs.
- Learning Resources: There are numerous resources available to learn Python, ranging from online tutorials and courses to books and documentation. Here are some recommended resources to get started:
- Online tutorials: Websites like W3Schools, Codecademy, Real Python, and Python.org’s official documentation provide beginner-friendly tutorials and guides.
- Online courses: Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and edX offer Python courses with structured lessons and interactive exercises.
- Books: Python Crash Course by Eric Matthes, Automate the Boring Stuff with Python by Al Sweigart, and Learn Python 3 the Hard Way by Zed Shaw are popular options for beginners.
- Documentation: Python’s official documentation (https://docs.python.org/3/) provides comprehensive and detailed information on Python’s syntax, standard library, and best practices.
- Practice Projects: Engage in hands-on practice to reinforce your learning. Start with small projects and gradually build more complex ones. Online platforms like Project Euler, HackerRank, and LeetCode offer coding challenges and exercises to improve your Python skills.
- Online Communities: Join online communities, such as the Python subreddit (r/Python), Python Discord server, or Stack Overflow’s Python community, where you can ask questions, seek guidance, and learn from experienced Python developers.
Remember, consistent practice and experimentation are key to mastering Python. Start with the basics, gradually build your knowledge, and embrace a hands-on approach to coding. Enjoy the learning process and have fun exploring the possibilities that Python offers!
Python training and tools
When it comes to Python training and tools, there are various options available to help you learn and enhance your Python skills. Here are some popular choices:
Python Training:
- Online Courses: Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, edX, and Codecademy offer a wide range of Python courses suitable for beginners to advanced learners. Look for courses that align with your learning goals and have positive reviews.
- Tutorials and Documentation: The official Python website (https://www.python.org/) provides comprehensive documentation, including tutorials, guides, and references. It’s a valuable resource for understanding Python’s syntax, standard library, and best practices.
- Books: There are numerous Python books available for different skill levels. Some highly recommended titles include “Python Crash Course” by Eric Matthes, “Automate the Boring Stuff with Python” by Al Sweigart, and “Fluent Python” by Luciano Ramalho. These books cover Python fundamentals, practical applications, and advanced topics.
- Coding Bootcamps: Coding bootcamps often offer Python-focused programs that provide intensive training and hands-on projects within a condensed timeframe. Bootcamps like General Assembly, Flatiron School, and Le Wagon offer Python courses that can accelerate your learning.
Python Tools:
- Integrated Development Environments (IDEs): IDEs provide a complete development environment for Python programming. Popular Python IDEs include PyCharm, Visual Studio Code (with Python extension), and Spyder. These IDEs offer features like code completion, debugging, and project management.
- Text Editors: If you prefer a simpler setup, you can use text editors like Sublime Text, Atom, or Notepad++. While they lack some advanced features of IDEs, they can be lightweight and customizable.
- Jupyter Notebooks: Jupyter Notebooks provide an interactive coding environment ideal for data analysis, exploration, and experimentation. Jupyter supports Python and other programming languages, allowing you to combine code, visualizations, and explanatory text in a single document.
- Package Managers: Python package managers like pip and conda allow you to easily install, manage, and update Python libraries and dependencies. They simplify the process of installing third-party libraries that extend Python’s capabilities.
- Testing and Debugging: Python has built-in modules for testing (unittest) and debugging (pdb). Additionally, there are third-party tools like pytest and pdb++ that provide enhanced testing and debugging capabilities.
- Data Analysis and Machine Learning Libraries: Python’s data analysis and machine learning ecosystem include popular libraries such as NumPy, Pandas, Matplotlib, Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, and PyTorch. These libraries provide efficient tools for working with data, visualization, and implementing machine learning algorithms.
Remember to choose the training resources and tools that align with your learning style and objectives. Mix theoretical learning with practical coding projects to solidify your understanding of Python. Practice regularly, engage with the Python community, and leverage online resources to deepen your knowledge and skills.
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Python Tutorial for Beginners
If you’re a beginner looking to learn Python, here’s a step-by-step Python tutorial to help you get started:
Step 1: Set Up Your Python Environment
- Download and install the latest version of Python from the official Python website (https://www.python.org/downloads/). Choose the appropriate version for your operating system.
- During installation, make sure to select the option to add Python to the system PATH.
Step 2: Choose a Text Editor or IDE
- You can use a text editor or an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) to write your Python code.
- Some popular text editors for Python include Sublime Text, Atom, and Visual Studio Code.
- If you prefer an IDE, consider PyCharm, which is specifically designed for Python development.
Step 3: Learn the Basics of Python Syntax
- Understand the basic syntax of Python, such as variables, data types, operators, and control structures (if statements, loops).
- Learn how to write comments in Python using the “#” symbol.
- Familiarize yourself with Python’s built-in functions and operators.
Step 4: Work with Data Structures
- Explore fundamental data structures like lists, tuples, dictionaries, and sets.
- Learn how to access and manipulate elements within these data structures.
Step 5: Understand Functions and Modules
- Learn how to define and call functions in Python.
- Explore built-in functions and how to create your own functions.
- Understand how to use and import modules in Python.
Step 6: Dive into Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)
- Learn the basics of object-oriented programming in Python, including classes, objects, inheritance, and polymorphism.
- Understand the concepts of encapsulation, abstraction, and inheritance.
Step 7: Explore File Handling and Exceptions
- Learn how to read from and write to files in Python.
- Understand exception handling and how to handle errors and exceptions in your code.
Step 8: Get Familiar with Python Libraries and Modules
- Explore popular Python libraries such as NumPy, Pandas, and Matplotlib for data manipulation, analysis, and visualization.
- Familiarize yourself with libraries for web development, such as Django or Flask, and for machine learning, such as TensorFlow or PyTorch.
Step 9: Practice Coding Exercises and Projects
- Engage in coding exercises and projects to reinforce your learning.
- Start with small exercises and gradually work your way up to larger projects.
- Leverage online platforms like Project Euler, HackerRank, or Codewars for coding challenges.
Step 10: Seek Help and Participate in the Python Community
- Join online forums, subreddits (r/Python), and Python-related communities to seek help, share knowledge, and collaborate with other Python learners and experts.
- Attend local meetups or workshops to connect with fellow Python enthusiasts and expand your network.
Remember, learning Python is a continuous journey. Practice regularly, seek out new challenges, and have fun exploring the vast possibilities that Python offers.
Python Syntax
Certainly! Here’s an overview of Python syntax along with some examples:
Comments: Comments are used to explain code and are ignored by the Python interpreter.
#This is a single-line comment
“””
This is a
multi-line comment
“””
Variables and Data Types: Variables are used to store data. Python is dynamically typed, meaning you don’t need to specify the data type explicitly.
#Variable assignment
x = 10
name = “John”
is_valid = True
#Data types
num = 3.14 # float
count = 10 # integer
message = “Hello!” # string
Operators: Python supports various operators, such as arithmetic, comparison, assignment, logical, etc.
#Arithmetic operators
result = 10 + 5
quotient = 15 / 3
remainder = 15 % 4
#Comparison operators
is_equal = (x == 5)
is_greater = (x > 10)
#Assignment operators
x += 1 # Equivalent to x = x + 1
y -= 5 # Equivalent to y = y – 5
#Logical operators
is_true = (x > 0) and (y < 10)
is_false = not is_true
Conditional Statements: Conditional statements allow you to execute different blocks of code based on certain conditions.
if x > 0:
print(“Positive”)
elif x < 0:
print(“Negative”)
else:
print(“Zero”)
Loops: Loops are used for repetitive execution of code.
#While loop
i = 0
while i < 5:
print(i)
i += 1
#For loop
fruits = [“apple”, “banana”, “cherry”]
for fruit in fruits:
print(fruit)
Functions: Functions are reusable blocks of code that perform a specific task.
def greet(name):
print(“Hello, ” + name + “!”)
greet(“Alice”) # Output: Hello, Alice!
Classes and Objects: Classes are blueprints for creating objects with attributes (variables) and methods (functions).
class Person:
def init(self, name):
self.name = name
def greet(self):
print(“Hello, my name is ” + self.name + “!”)
person = Person(“John”)
person.greet() # Output: Hello, my name is John!
These are just a few examples of Python syntax. Python offers many more features and capabilities, which you can explore further as you delve deeper into the language.
Advantage of Python language
Python has gained tremendous popularity and is widely used for various reasons. Here are some benefits of using the Python programming language:
- Readability and Simplicity: Python emphasizes code readability and uses a clean and straightforward syntax. Its clear and intuitive nature makes it easier to learn and understand, even for beginners. The code is structured using indentation, which improves readability and reduces the likelihood of errors.
- Large and Active Community: Python has a large and active community of developers who contribute to its growth and development. This community provides extensive documentation, tutorials, and a wealth of third-party libraries and frameworks that make Python more powerful and versatile.
- Extensive Libraries and Frameworks: Python offers a vast ecosystem of libraries and frameworks for various domains and purposes. Popular libraries like NumPy, pandas, and matplotlib are widely used for data analysis and scientific computing. Django and Flask are popular frameworks for web development, while TensorFlow and PyTorch are used for machine learning and artificial intelligence.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: Python is a cross-platform language, meaning it can run on different operating systems such as Windows, macOS, Linux, etc. You can write code once and run it on multiple platforms without needing major modifications, making it highly versatile.
- Integration and Interoperability: Python can easily integrate with other languages such as C, C++, Java, and more. It offers robust support for APIs, making it suitable for building software systems that require interacting with other applications or services.
- Rapid Development: Python’s simplicity and availability of ready-to-use libraries enable faster development cycles. Developers can focus on solving problems rather than dealing with low-level details. This makes Python an excellent choice for prototyping, scripting, and building complex applications efficiently.
- Scalability and Performance: While Python may not be the fastest programming language, it offers excellent performance for most use cases. Libraries like NumPy and pandas provide optimized data structures and operations, and performance-critical code can be easily written in languages like C and integrated into Python.
- Support for Multiple Paradigms: Python supports multiple programming paradigms, including procedural, object-oriented, and functional programming. This flexibility allows developers to choose the best approach based on their project’s requirements, making Python suitable for a wide range of applications.
These are just a few of the many benefits of using Python. Its versatility, ease of use, and strong community support have contributed to its widespread adoption in various industries, including web development, data science, machine learning, scientific research, and more.
Disadvantage of Python language
While Python is a popular and powerful programming language, it also has a few limitations and disadvantages. Here are some of the common drawbacks of Python:
- Performance: Python is an interpreted language, which means it can be slower compared to compiled languages like C or C++. Certain computational tasks, especially those involving heavy calculations or intensive processing, may perform better in languages that are closer to the hardware.
- Global Interpreter Lock (GIL): The Global Interpreter Lock (GIL) is a mechanism in Python that allows only one thread to execute Python bytecode at a time. This can limit the ability to fully utilize multiple cores or take advantage of multithreading for certain types of CPU-bound tasks. However, Python provides ways to mitigate this limitation, such as using multiprocessing or external libraries for parallel computing.
- Mobile and Game Development: Python is not commonly used for mobile app development or game development due to limitations in performance and available frameworks. While there are frameworks like Kivy and Pygame for these purposes, they may not offer the same level of performance or platform-specific features as languages like Java, Swift, or C++.
- Memory Consumption: Python can have higher memory consumption compared to some other programming languages. This is due to its dynamic typing, which requires additional memory to store type information and support features like garbage collection. However, Python provides efficient memory management techniques, and the impact on most applications is typically negligible.
- Limited Mobile Support: While Python offers some frameworks for mobile development (e.g., Kivy), it is not as widely supported in the mobile app development ecosystem compared to languages like Java or Swift. Python may not have access to the full range of mobile-specific features and libraries available in those languages.
- Design Restrictions: Python’s dynamic typing and flexible nature can sometimes lead to design restrictions. In large projects or when working in a team, strict coding standards and practices may be necessary to maintain code quality, readability, and consistency.
- Dependency Management: Python’s dependency management can be challenging, especially when dealing with complex projects with multiple dependencies. The availability of various package managers and different versioning schemes can sometimes lead to conflicts or compatibility issues. However, tools like pip and virtual environments help mitigate these challenges.
Despite these limitations, Python’s strengths, versatility, and extensive ecosystem make it a preferred choice for many developers and organizations. It is crucial to consider these limitations alongside the specific requirements of your project to determine if Python is the right tool for the job.
Which language need to learning python language ?
Python is a versatile language that can be learned independently without any prior knowledge of other programming languages. However, having a basic understanding of fundamental programming concepts can be helpful in grasping Python more easily. If you are new to programming, you can start with Python as your first programming language.
That being said, if you have prior experience with other programming languages, it can provide you with a foundation that may facilitate your learning of Python. Here are a few languages that can be beneficial to know when learning Python:
- C and C++: Python’s design and syntax were influenced by the C and C++ languages. Understanding concepts like variables, data types, control structures, and functions in C or C++ can make it easier to grasp similar concepts in Python. Additionally, Python allows you to integrate C and C++ code, so having knowledge of these languages can be helpful for extending Python’s capabilities.
- Java: Java is another popular programming language with similarities to Python. Both languages are object-oriented and share concepts such as classes, objects, and inheritance. If you are familiar with Java, you may find it easier to understand object-oriented programming in Python.
- JavaScript: JavaScript is widely used for web development, and learning it can complement your Python skills. Python is often used on the server-side for web development, while JavaScript is used for client-side scripting. Knowing JavaScript can help you understand web technologies and enable you to create dynamic and interactive web applications.
- Shell Scripting (Bash): If you are working in a Unix-like environment, having knowledge of shell scripting (such as Bash scripting) can be useful alongside Python. Shell scripting allows you to automate tasks, work with the command line, and perform system operations. Python can complement shell scripting by providing more extensive libraries and tools for complex tasks.
Remember that these languages are not prerequisites for learning Python. Python is beginner-friendly and can be learned independently. However, familiarity with these languages can help you draw comparisons, understand certain concepts more easily, and broaden your overall programming skills.
Python versions
Python has 2 major versions: 2x and 3x versions.
Python 2.x version was released in 2000. The latest version is 2.7 released in 2010. It isn’t recommended for use in new projects.
Python 3.x version was released in 2008. Basically, Python 3 isn’t compatible with Python 2. And you should use the latest versions of Python 3 for your new projects.
How to setup python environment
To set up a Python environment, follow these steps:
Install Python: Visit the official Python website (https://www.python.org) and download the latest version of Python for your operating system. Run the installer and follow the instructions to install Python.
Choose an Integrated Development Environment (IDE): While not mandatory, using an IDE can greatly enhance your productivity. Some popular options are PyCharm, Visual Studio Code, and Jupyter Notebook. Choose an IDE that suits your needs and install it.
Virtual Environments (Optional): Virtual environments allow you to create isolated Python environments with their own installed packages. This is helpful to avoid conflicts between different projects. Open a command prompt or terminal and enter the following commands to install the venv package (if not already installed) and create a virtual environment:
python -m pip install --upgrade pip
python -m pip install virtualenv
python -m venv myenv
This will create a new virtual environment named “myenv.”
Activate the Virtual Environment: To activate the virtual environment, run the appropriate command for your operating system:
On Windows:
myenv\Scripts\activate
On macOS/Linux:
source myenv/bin/activate
Once activated, your command prompt or terminal should show the name of the virtual environment.
Install Packages: With the virtual environment activated (or if you’re not using a virtual environment), you can use pip (Python’s package manager) to install additional packages. For example, to install the popular numpy package, run:
pip install numpy
Replace numpy with the name of any package you want to install.
Create a Python File: Open your chosen IDE and create a new Python file (typically with a .py extension). You can start writing your Python code in this file.
Run Python Code: To run Python code, save your file with the .py extension and use the IDE’s built-in features or the command prompt/terminal to execute the script. For example, if you have a file named my_script.py, you can run it from the command prompt or terminal with:
python my_script.py
That’s it! You have now set up a Python environment and are ready to write and run Python code. Remember to activate the virtual environment if you’re using one before installing packages or running code.
Last Line
Now a days, Python programming language s used in many areas of development. Due to its easy understand ability and good user interface, it is used in many scientific fields. Many heavy operations Numeric and scientific calculations, Research and development, Scraping and many more. So, if you want You can learn it easily.