Python - Overview
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 Interpreted − Python is processed at runtime by the
interpreter. You do not need to compile your program before
executing it. This is similar to PERL and PHP.
Python is Interactive − You can actually sit at a Python prompt
and interact with the interpreter directly to write your
programs.
Python is Object-Oriented − Python supports Object-Oriented
style or technique of programming that encapsulates code
within objects.
Python is a Beginner's Language − Python is a great language for
the beginner-level programmers and supports the
development of a wide range of applications from simple text
processing to WWW browsers to games.
Python is an open-source and cross-platform programming
language. It is available for use under Python Software Foundation
License (compatible to GNU General Public License) on all the major
operating system platforms Linux, Windows and Mac OS.
To facilitate new features and to maintain that readability, the
Python Enhancement Proposal (PEP) process was developed. This
process allows anyone to submit a PEP for a new feature, library, or
other addition.
The design philosophy of Python emphasizes on simplicity,
readability and unambiguity. Python is known for its batteries
included approach as Python software is distributed with a
comprehensive standard library of functions and modules.
Python's design philosophy is documented in the Zen of Python. It
consists of nineteen aphorisms such as −
Beautiful is better than ugly
Explicit is better than implicit
Simple is better than complex
Complex is better than complicated
To obtain the complete Zen of Python document, type import this in
the Python Shell −
>>>import this
This will produce following 19 aphorisms -
Beautiful is better than ugly.
Explicit is better than implicit.
Simple is better than complex.
Complex is better than complicated.
Flat is better than nested.
Sparse is better than dense.
Readability counts.
Special cases aren't special enough to break the rules.
Although practicality beats purity.
Errors should never pass silently.
Unless explicitly silenced.
In the face of ambiguity, refuse the temptation to guess.
There should be one-- and preferably only one --obvious way to do it.
Although that way may not be obvious at first unless you're Dutch.
Now is better than never.
Although never is often better than *right* now.
If the implementation is hard to explain, it's a bad idea.
If the implementation is easy to explain, it may be a good idea.
Namespaces are one honking great idea -- let's do more of those!
Python supports imperative, structured as well as object-oriented
programming methodology. It provides features of functional
programming as well.
Pythonic Code Style
Python leaves you free to choose to program in an object-oriented,
procedural, functional, aspect-oriented, or even logic-oriented way.
These freedoms make Python a great language to write clean and
beautiful code.
Pythonic Code Style is actually more of a design philosophy and
suggests to write a code which is :
Clean
Simple
Beautiful
Explicit
Readable
The Zen of Python
The Zen of Python is about code that not only works, but is
Pythonic. Pythonic code is readable, concise, and maintainable.
