Python for Beginners

Python was developed by Guido van Rossum in the late eighties and early nineties at the National Research Institute for Mathematics and Computer Science in the Netherlands. Python is derived from many other languages, including ABC, Modula-3, C, C++, Algol-68, SmallTalk, and Unix shell and other scripting languages. Python is copyrighted. Like Perl, Python source code is now available under the GNU General Public License (GPL). Python is now maintained by a core development team at the institute, although Guido van Rossum still holds a vital role in directing its progress. Python Features Python's features include - Easy-to-learn - Python has few keywords, simple structure, and a clearly defined syntax. This allows the student to pick up the language quickly. Easy-to-read - Python code is more clearly defined and visible to the eyes. Easy-to-maintain - Python's source code is fairly easy-to-maintain. A broad standard library - Python's bulk of the library is very portable and cross-platform compatible on UNIX, Windows, and Macintosh. Interactive Mode - Python has support for an interactive mode which allows interactive testing and debugging of snippets of code. Portable - Python can run on a wide variety of hardware platforms and has the same interface on all platforms. Extendable - You can add low-level modules to the Python interpreter. These modules enable programmers to add to or customize their tools to be more efficient. Databases - Python provides interfaces to all major commercial databases. GUI Programming - Python supports GUI applications that can be created and ported to many system calls, libraries and windows systems, such as Windows MFC, Macintosh, and the X Window system of Unix. Scalable - Python provides a better structure and support for large programs than shell scripting.