What is Python? - For Absolute Beginners

Python is an interpreted, high level, general purpose and popular programming language. It was created by Guido van Rossum, and released in 1991. It supports multiple programming paradigms including structured (particularly, procedural), object-oriented, and functional programming. Python is often described as a "batteries included" language due to its

comprehensive standard library.

It is used for different reasons such as:

• web development (server-side),
• software development,
• mathematics,
• system scripting.

Python can be used to do several things. Some of them are discussed above while other important things are discussed below:

1. Python can be used on a server to create web applications.

2. Python can be used alongside software to create workflows.

3. Python can connect to database systems. It can also read and modify files.

4. Python can be used to handle big data and perform complex mathematics.

5. Python can be used for rapid prototyping, or for production-ready software development.

There are several other programming languages like Java, C++ and many more which are also  highly efficient.Now the question arises "Why to choose Python only?" It is because of the following reasons:

1. Python works on different platforms (Windows, Mac, Linux, Raspberry Pi, etc).

2. Python has a simple syntax similar to the English language.

3.Python has syntax that allows developers to write programs with fewer lines than some other programming languages.

4. Python runs on an interpreter system, meaning that code can be executed as soon as it is written. This means that prototyping can be very quick.

5. Python can be treated in a procedural way, an object-orientated way or a functional way.

6. Python was designed for readability, and has some similarities to the English language with influence from mathematics.

7. Python uses new lines to complete a command, as opposed to other programming languages which often use semicolons or parentheses.

8. Python relies on indentation, using whitespace, to define scope; such as the scope of loops, functions and classes. Other programming languages often use curly-brackets for this purpose.

Why is 'Python' named as 'Python'?

Python's name is derived from the British comedy group Monty Python, whom Python creator Guido van Rossum enjoyed while developing the language. 

The language's core philosophy is summarized in the document The Zen Of Python, which includes aphorisms such as:

• Beautiful is better than ugly.
• Explicit is better than implicit.
• Simple is better than complex.
• Complex is better than complicated.
• Readability counts.