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Python (programming language)

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Python is a high-level programming language used to give instructions to computers.

Guido van Rossum in PyConUS24
Guido van Rossum in PyConUS24

It is a general-purpose tool, meaning it can do many different kinds of jobs. Many people use it for machine learning, which helps computers learn from data. The language is famous because it is easy for humans to read. It uses English words instead of many confusing symbols. This makes it a great choice for people just starting to learn coding.

Python 3.13 Standrd Type Hierarchy-en
Python 3.13 Standrd Type Hierarchy-en

One special way Python works is through indentation. In many other languages, programmers use curly brackets to group ideas together. Python uses empty spaces at the start of a line instead. This is called the off-side rule. When you add more spaces, you start a new block of code. When you use fewer spaces, that block ends. This makes the code look very neat and organized. It also helps the computer understand the structure of the program.

Python 3.13 Standrd Type Hierarchy-en
Python 3.13 Standrd Type Hierarchy-en

A man named Guido van Rossum started Python in December 1989. He worked at a place called CWI in the Netherlands. He wanted a better version of an older language called ABC. He released the very first version, called Python 0.9.0, in 1991. The name does not come from the snake. Instead, it comes from a funny British show called Monty Python's Flying Circus. For a long time, he was the main leader. People called him the "benevolent dictator for life."

Guido van Rossum in PyConUS24
Guido van Rossum in PyConUS24

Python has changed a lot over the years. Python 2.0 came out on October 16, 2000. Later, Python 3.0 was released on December 3, 2008. This was a major change that was not backward-compatible. This means old code might not work in the new version. Today, the Python Software Foundation supports many versions. They support Python 3.10, 3.11, 3.12, 3.13, and 3.14. They follow a cycle where they release new versions every year.

Python 3.13 Standrd Type Hierarchy-en
Python 3.13 Standrd Type Hierarchy-en

Python is also known for being very flexible. It is a "glue language" because it can connect different parts together. It uses something called dynamic typing. This means a variable name can point to different types of data at any time. It also uses garbage collection to manage memory. This is a way the computer cleans up after itself. Because it is so useful, it has stayed popular for a long time. Since 2003, it has always been in the top ten most popular languages.

Python 3.13 Standrd Type Hierarchy-en
Python 3.13 Standrd Type Hierarchy-en
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File:Guido van Rossum in PyConUS24.jpg
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