Introduction | learnpython.tech

is a versatile, straightforward, English-like, and popular general-purpose, high-level programming language released in 1991 by Guido Van Rossum. It allows writing programs without having to deal with the know-how of the CPU or the computer and makes it easy to learn for beginners due to its simplistic syntax and concise statements.

It is used for the following purposes:

desktop applications
scripting
general software development
server-side development
scientific computing
prototyping

Capabilities of Python

Python can connect to multiple popular database engines such as MySQL, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, Redis., etc.
Python provides numerous libraries for GUI(Graphical User Interface) application development.
It provides various libraries for scientific computing, such as NumPy, Pandas.
It is one of the most popular language choices for Rapid Prototyping of Ideas and creating DSL(Domain Specific Language) to create MVP(Minimum Viable Product).
Developers can use Python to develop enterprise-ready production-grade software.
Developers can establish an interface from Python to C/C++ to enhance the performance of time-critical applications.

Platform Availability

Since, Python is an interpreted language and executes in a Virtual Machine, that allows it to be available on almost all Operating Systems.

Windows
macOS
Linux
iOS
iPadOS
Solaris
VMS
IBM i

Advantages of Programming in Python

Easy to learn, maintain and debug.
English-like syntax.
Little to no boilerplate code.
Python is an interpreted language. It means that code does not have to be compiled for it to run.
Python allows structural, object-oriented, or functional programming styles.

Syntax Demonstration

# This example demonstrates the Python's simplistic syntax
def my_favourite_function():
    print("My favourite function")

# Is Upload Complete
def is_upload_complete():
    # ...
    return True

# Check whether upload is complete or not.
if is_upload_complete():
    my_favourite_function()
else:
    print("Upload not complete. Still uploading...")

Execution of Python Programs

Steps of Python Source Code Compilation and Execution

Python executes programs written in the Python programming language and stored in the ".py " extension. Before execution, the Python interpreter reads the source file, a.k.a source code, and converts it into another language, that the interpreter can process. This language is known as the byte code. This process is similar to how compiled language such as C, C++, Rust executes a program. However, instead of compiling the program into OS-specific and CPU-architecture-specific instructions, the interpreter compiles it into OS-neutral and CPU-architecture-neutral instructions. These instructions are then stored in ".pyc " files.

After the compilation of source codes, the Python runtime loads the byte codes and executes them in the Python Virtual Machine. The Python virtual machine replicates the working of a real hardware CPU but is completely virtual in existence. This "virtual" CPU understands the Python byte codes and executes them. This is how the Python programming languages provide architecture and platform-neutral program development.

Popularity of Python

The chart above taken from Tiobe Index displays the popularity of Python.

As you can observe, Python is one of the most popular languages out there, only behind the ubiquitous C Programming Language. Although we can use the C Programming language for any task, it is now only used for particular tasks such as writing compilers, operating systems, or very low-level code required to run almost instantaneously.

Experience Requirement

This tutorial assumes no prior programming experience on the part of the reader. Although, having some is undoubtedly useful.

Install