What Is Python?

We’ll be starting from the basics, so no need to worry if you have no prior experience with Python or coding at all.

So, without further ado, let’s begin by exploring what Python is.

Python

Developed in 1990, Python has become one of the most widely-used general-purpose programming languages today.

The term general-purpose indicates that Python is versatile and can be applied to a wide range of programming tasks, without being specialized for a particular domain.

A high-level interpreted language

Python falls under the category of high-level, interpreted languages.

Computers and other programmable hardware devices execute instructions that are given in machine code. A high-level language on the other hand is one that is designed to be closer to human language and easier for humans to write code in. It abstracts out the low-level details and hardware specifics, such as knowing the processor instruction set, memory management and register manipulation. The high-level language handles these details for you.

Instructions written in a high-level language need to be translated to machine code. The machine code may be different for different hardware. This is where interpreters and compilers help us. An interpreter acts as an interface between your code and the computer. Python is an interpreted language. The interpreter reads your code line by line, translating it into machine code. It then executes the instructions. C and C++ on the other hand are compiled languages. Similar to an interpreter, the compiler also translates high level instructions to machine code. However, unlike an interpreter, a compiler translates the entire program first before executing the code. There are pros and cons of each approach, but for now it should be sufficient to know that interpreted languages allow for faster development cycles because you don’t need an additional compilation stage.

Readability

A major factor behind Python’s rapid growth is its simple and intuitive syntax. The language is designed to read almost like plain English, allowing developers to write complex programs with ease. Unlike more verbose languages like C++, Python’s concise nature makes it easy to read, maintain, and write code. This simplicity reduces the learning curve, making Python an excellent entry point for beginners in the world of programming.

To drive the point home, the image below demonstrates the difference between code written in Python and the same task programmed using Assembly which is closer to machine code. See the difference?

Applications

Over the years, a vibrant ecosystem has developed around Python, featuring various frameworks that simplify domain-specific programming, and an active developer community has mushroomed—making a strong case for learning Python, even for non-programmers.

These days Python has an impact on almost every sphere of modern computing. From operating systems to web applications, data science to artificial intelligence, image processing and natural language processing, Python is leaving its mark on key domains.

Version history

Python has had several major updates in the past. Python 2.7 was widely used for a very long time, even after the release of newer versions.

However, Python 2.7 has been deprecated as of January 1, 2020, and replaced completely by 3.xx versions, known as Python 3. The differences between Python 2.7 and Python 3 are minute, but important nonetheless.

To keep up with the latest technologies, we’ll be using Python 3.