Introduction to Python
Learn what Python is, who created it, why beginners love it, and where it is used in the real world.
After completing this chapter, you will be able to:
- Explain what Python is and why it is a high-level programming language.
- Identify Guido van Rossum as Python's creator and 1991 as its release year.
- List key features that make Python friendly for beginners.
- Recognize real-world fields where Python is used every day.
What Is Python?
Python is a popular, high-level, general-purpose programming language. You write instructions in clean, readable English-like words, and Python runs them step by step.
Unlike languages filled with heavy punctuation such as curly braces {} and semicolons ;, Python focuses on simplicity. That makes it one of the best first programming languages for school students and new developers.
Notice how readable a short Python program looks.
print("Welcome to Python!")
print("2 + 3 =", 2 + 3)Expected Output
Welcome to Python! 2 + 3 = 5
Who Created Python and When?
Python was created by Guido van Rossum, a Dutch programmer, in the late 1980s and was first released in 1991.
Fun fact: Guido did not name the language after the snake. He named it after Monty Python's Flying Circus, a British comedy show he enjoyed!
Why Is Python So Popular?
Python consistently ranks among the most widely used programming languages in the world because it removes unnecessary hurdles for learners:
- Easy to read: Python code looks close to plain English.
- Fewer lines of code: Tasks that take ten lines in some languages often take two or three in Python.
- Works everywhere: Python runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, and even inside web browsers via WebAssembly.
- Huge library support: Python includes a rich standard library plus thousands of community packages.
Features and Advantages
Here are the main strengths you will benefit from as you learn:
- Beginner-friendly syntax — Easy to learn and remember.
- Interpreted execution — Python runs line by line, so you can test ideas quickly and see clear error messages.
- Dynamically typed — You do not have to declare variable types manually before using them.
- Free and open source — Anyone can download, use, and share Python at no cost.
Python handles calculations and text in just a few lines.
name = "Python"
year_created = 1991
print(name, "was first released in", year_created)Expected Output
Python was first released in 1991
What Is Python Used For?
Because Python is a general-purpose language, it powers many real-world applications:
- Web development: Building websites and web backends.
- Data analysis and science: Analyzing numbers, charts, and scientific research.
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning: Training smart recommendation and language systems.
- Automation and scripting: Automating repetitive file, spreadsheet, and classroom tasks.
- Education: Teaching programming fundamentals in schools and universities worldwide.
Text in Python must always be wrapped in quotes, while numbers like 1991 do not need quotes. Forgetting quotes around plain text causes Python to look for a variable with that name.
print(Welcome to Python)print("Welcome to Python")Quick Check
Who created the Python programming language, and in which year was it first released?
Chapter Summary
- Python is a high-level programming language designed for clarity and readability.
- It was created by Guido van Rossum and released in 1991.
- Python is popular in education, web development, data science, AI, and automation.