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1 - Introduction To Python

The document provides an introduction to Python programming, covering its definition, features, and history, as well as the differences between interpreters and compilers. It highlights the advantages of learning Python, including its popularity in data science and various applications such as web development and machine learning. Additionally, it discusses the functions of the Python interpreter and the significance of the __pycache__ folder in storing compiled bytecode.

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Arif Ahmad
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10 views21 pages

1 - Introduction To Python

The document provides an introduction to Python programming, covering its definition, features, and history, as well as the differences between interpreters and compilers. It highlights the advantages of learning Python, including its popularity in data science and various applications such as web development and machine learning. Additionally, it discusses the functions of the Python interpreter and the significance of the __pycache__ folder in storing compiled bytecode.

Uploaded by

Arif Ahmad
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Python Programming

An Introduction
Learning objective
• What is Python Programming?
• Interpreter vs Compiler
• Functions of Python Interpreter
• History of Python
• Features of Python
• Why should we learn Python?
• Application of Python Programming
What is Python Programming
• Python is a high level, interpreted, intelligent, and object-oriented
scripting language.

• Python is handled at runtime by the interpreter. You don't need to


compile your code before executing it.

• Learning Python Programming is as easier as C language.

• Python's simple, easy to learn syntax emphasizes readability and


therefore reduces the cost of program maintenance.
What is Python Programming

• Python supports modules and packages, which encourages


program modularity and code reuse.

• The Python interpreter and the extensive standard library are


available in source or binary form without charge for all major
platforms and can be freely distributed.
Interpreter vs Compiler
• An Interpreter is a program that executes Python code.
• An Interpreter translates code written in high-level programming
language into machine code line-by-line as the code runs.

• Compiler converts code into machine code before execution.


• A compiler translates code from a high-level programming
language into machine code as a whole before the program runs.
Functions of Python Interpreter
• Read (Lexical Analysis):
• The interpreter reads the source code (Python script) and breaks it into tokens
(smallest elements like keywords, identifiers, etc.).

• Parse (Syntax Analysis):


• Checking if the code contains any syntax errors.

• Translate (Intermediate Code Generation):


• The interpreter converts the source code into bytecode, which is an intermediate,
platform-independent representation of the code.
• Bytecode files have a .pyc extension and are stored in the __pycache__ folder.
• Bytecode improves performance by skipping the need to re-interpret unchanged
files.
Functions of Python Interpreter
• Execute (Runtime):
• The bytecode is executed by the Python Virtual Machine (PVM), which is part
of the interpreter.
• The PVM converts bytecode into machine-specific instructions and interacts
with the operating system to execute them.

• Handle Errors:
• If the interpreter encounters errors during execution, it halts the process and
provides a detailed error message.
__pycache__ folder
• Inside __pycache__ folder, the code is not stored in plain Python
syntax. Though, we can view the files in the __pycache__ folder.

• The files in the __pycache__ folder are compiled bytecode files


with names like your_script.cpython-<version>.pyc.

• These are not directly in the human-readable format.


Use dis module to see the bytecode
• Create a script test.py
print("Welcome to Python")

• Run the script to generate a bytecode file in __pycache__:


myProject2\Test> python.exe .\hello.py

• Use the dis module to examine the bytecode:


import dis
dis.dis(compile(open('hello.py').read(), 'hello.py', 'exec'))
Changing location of __pycache__ folder
• Modify the location of the __pycache__ folder by setting the
PYTHONPYCACHEPREFIX environment variable.
• Open Command Prompt.

C:\>set PYTHONPYCACHEPREFIX=C:\CustomCacheLocation

• Run your script again, and the compiled files will now be stored in
the specified folder.
History of Python Programming
• Python was created by Guido van Rossum.

• The design began in the late 1980.

• Soon after that, Guido Van Rossum began doing its application-
based work in December of 1989 by at Centrum Wiskunde &
Informatica (CWI) which is situated in Netherlands.

• The first release was in February 1991.


History of Python Programming
• “Python is an experiment in how much freedom programmers
need. Too much freedom and nobody can read another's code.
Too little and expressiveness is endangered.”
• Guido van Rossum
Why was it named Python?
• It wasn't named after a dangerous snake.

• Rossum was fan of a comedy series in late seventies.

• The name "Python" was adopted from the same series "Monty
Python's Flying Circus".
Features of Python
• 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.
Features of Python
• A simple language which is easier to learn
• Free and open-source
• Portability
• Extensible and Embeddable
• A high-level, interpreted language
• Large standard libraries to solve common tasks
Why should we learn Python?
• In an independent 3rd party survey, it has been found that the
Python programming language is currently the most popular
language for Data Scientists worldwide.

• This claim is substantiated by IEEE, which tracks programming


languages by popularity.

• According to them, Python tops the list of the most popular


programming languages in 2018
Why should we learn Python?
• According to Indeed, the average Python developer salary in the
US in 2020 is $120K per year (or $56.75 per hour), which grew by
14% for the last 4 years.

• The entry-level Python developer salary in the USA is $74,435.

• Middle developers earn $100,826.

• Experienced Python developers are paid on average $127,217 per


year
Why should we learn Python?
• Python is used in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence

• Python is used in Web development

• Python has a large community

• Python is used in Scripting and Automation

• Python has many libraries and frameworks


Application of Python Programming
• Python supports cross-platform operating systems which makes
building applications with it more convenient.

• Some of the globally known applications such as YouTube,


BitTorrent, DropBox, etc. use Python to achieve their functionality.
Application of Python Programming
• Web Development
• Game Development
• Scientific and Numeric Applications
• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
• Software Development
• Enterprise-level/Business Applications
• Education programs and training courses
• Language Development
• Desktop GUI
• Business Applications
You have learnt:
• What is Python Programming?
• Interpreter vs Compiler
• Functions of Python Interpreter
• History of Python
• Features of Python
• Why should we learn Python?
• Application of Python Programming

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