Introduction

From the `official Python website <http://python.org/about/>`_:

Python is a general-purpose, high-level programming language similar

to Tcl, Perl, Ruby, Scheme, or Java. Some of its main key features

include:

* very clear, readable syntax

Python's philosophy focuses on readability, from code blocks

delineated with significant whitespace to intuitive keywords in

place of inscrutable punctuation

* extensive standard libraries and third party modules for virtually

any task

Python is sometimes described with the words "batteries included"

for its extensive

`standard library <http://docs.python.org/library/>`_, which can

includes modules for regular expressions, file IO, fraction handling,

object serialization, and much more.

Additionally, the

`Python Package Index <http://pypi.python.org/pypi/>`_ is available

for users to submit their packages for widespread use, similar to

Perl's `CPAN <http://www.cpan.org>`_. There is a thriving community

of very powerful Python frameworks and tools like

the `Django <http://www.djangoproject.com>`_ web framework and the

`NumPy <http://numpy.scipy.org>`_ set of math routines.

* integration with other systems

Python can integrate with `Java libraries <http://www.jython.org>`_,

enabling it to be used with the rich Java environment that corporate

programmers are used to. It can also be

`extended by C or C++ modules <http://docs.python.org/extending/>`_

when speed is of the essence.

* ubiquity on computers

Python is available on Windows, \*nix, and Mac. It runs wherever the

Java virtual machine runs, and the reference implementation CPython

can help bring Python to wherever there is a working C compiler.

* friendly community

Python has a vibrant and large :ref:`community <the-community>`

which maintains wikis, conferences, countless repositories,

mailing lists, IRC channels, and so much more. Heck, the Python

community is even helping to write this guide!

.. _about-ref:

About This Guide

Purpose

The Hitchhiker's Guide to Python exists to provide both novice and expert

Python developers a best-practice handbook to the installation, configuration,

and usage of Python on a daily basis.

By the Community

This guide is architected and maintained by `Kenneth Reitz

<https://github.com/kennethreitz>`_ in an open fashion. This is a

community-driven effort that serves one purpose: to serve the community.

For the Community

All contributions to the Guide are welcome, from Pythonistas of all levels.

If you think there's a gap in what the Guide covers, fork the Guide on

GitHub and submit a pull request. Contributions are welcome from everyone,

whether they're an old hand or a first-time Pythonista, and the authors to

the Guide will gladly help if you have any questions about the

appropriateness, completeness, or accuracy of a contribution.

To get started working on The Hitchhiker's Guide, see

the: doc:`/notes/contribute` page.