Introduction to Python

What is Python?

Python is a popular programming language. It was created by Guido van Rossum and released in 1991.

It is used for:

  • Web development (server-side)
  • Software development
  • Mathematics
  • System scripts

What can Python do?

  • Python can be used on servers to create web applications.
  • Python can be used with software to create workflows.
  • Python can connect to database systems. It can also read and modify files.
  • Python can be used to handle big data and perform complex mathematical operations.
  • Python can be used for rapid prototyping and for production-ready software development.

Why choose Python?

  • Python is suitable for different platforms (Windows, Mac, Linux, Raspberry Pi, etc.).
  • Python has a simple syntax similar to English.
  • Python's syntax allows developers to write programs with fewer lines of code than other programming languages.
  • Python runs on an interpreter system, which means that code can be executed immediately after writing. This also means that prototyping can be very fast.
  • Python can be processed in a procedural, object-oriented, or functional way.

Please Be Informed

The latest major version of Python is Python 3, which we will use in this tutorial. However, Python 2, although it has no updates for security updates, is still very popular.

In this tutorial, we will write Python in a text editor. You can also write Python in an integrated development environment, such as Thonny, Pycharm, Netbeans, or Eclipse, which is particularly useful when managing a large number of Python files.

Python Syntax Compared to Other Programming Languages

  • Python is designed for readability, with some similarities to English and influenced by mathematics.
  • Python uses a new line to complete commands, unlike other programming languages that usually use semicolons or parentheses.
  • Python uses indentation to define the scope, such as loops, functions, and class ranges; for example, it uses spaces to define the scope. Other programming languages usually use braces to achieve this purpose.