Python Programming
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Introduction
Python is a general-purpose interpreted, interactive, object-oriented, and high-
level programming language. It was created by Guido van Rossum during 1985-
1990. Like Perl, Python source code is also available under the GNU General
Public License (GPL). This tutorial gives enough understanding on Python
programming language.
Python is a high-level, interpreted, interactive and object-oriented scripting
language. Python is designed to be highly readable. It uses English keywords
frequently where as other languages use punctuation, and it has fewer
syntactical constructions than other languages.
Python is a MUST for students and working professionals to become a great
Software Engineer specially when they are working in Web Development Domain.
Python Features
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.
Python - Basic Syntax
The Python language has many similarities to Perl, C, and Java. However, there are some
definite differences between the languages.
First Python Program
Let us execute programs in different modes of programming.
Interactive Mode Programming
Invoking the interpreter without passing a script file as a parameter brings up the
following prompt −
Type the following text at the Python prompt and press the Enter −
>>> print(“hello world”)
And Enter
Output: hello world