{"id":2310,"date":"2026-09-30T12:34:22","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T12:34:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entri.app\/explore\/?post_type=curriculum&p=2310"},"modified":"2026-09-30T12:42:31","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T12:42:31","slug":"introduction-to-python","status":"publish","type":"curriculum","link":"https:\/\/entri.app\/explore\/python-programming\/introduction-to-python\/","title":{"rendered":"Introduction to Python"},"content":{"rendered":"

What Is Python?\u00a0<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Python\u00a0is a general-purpose, high-level, interpreted programming language designed to be highly readable. It was created by Guido van Rossum<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0between 1985 and 1990 and first released in 1991. Python is used for web development (server-side), software development, mathematics and system scripting, and it is one of the easiest languages for beginners to learn.<\/p>\n

What Is Python in Simple Words?<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\n

In simple words, Python is a language you use to give instructions to a computer, written in something close to plain English. Python uses English keywords where other languages use punctuation, and it has fewer syntactical constructions than most other languages.<\/p>\n

Definition:<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0Python is a general-purpose, interpreted, interactive, object-oriented, high-level programming language.<\/p>\n

In computing, “Python” refers both to the language itself (its rules and syntax) and to the Python interpreter<\/b><\/strong>, the program on your computer that reads .py\u00a0files and executes them. “Python coding” simply means writing instructions in this language.<\/p>\n

Who Created Python, and When Was It Released?<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Python was created and developed by Guido van Rossum<\/b><\/strong>. He worked on it between 1985 and 1990, and Python was released publicly in 1991<\/b><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Late 1980s: Guido van Rossum begins designing Python.<\/li>\n
  • 1991: First public release of Python.<\/li>\n
  • 2000: Python 2.0 released.<\/li>\n
  • 2008: Python 3.0 released, a deliberately non-backward-compatible cleanup of the language.<\/li>\n
  • 2020: Python 2 officially reaches end of life; all new work uses Python 3.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Why Is It Called Python?<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\n

    Python is not named after the snake. Guido van Rossum named it after the British comedy series Monty Python’s Flying Circus<\/b><\/strong>, because he wanted a name that was short, unique and slightly playful. The snake logo came later.<\/p>\n

    What Type of Language Is Python?<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\n
      \n
    • <\/b>High-level:<\/b><\/strong>you write human-readable code; Python handles memory and hardware details for you.<\/li>\n
    • <\/b>Interpreted:<\/b><\/strong>Python is processed at runtime by the interpreter, so you do not compile your program before running it (similar to Perl and PHP).<\/li>\n
    • <\/b>Interactive:<\/b><\/strong>you can sit at a Python prompt and type code directly into the interpreter.<\/li>\n
    • <\/b>Object-oriented:<\/b><\/strong>Python supports object-oriented programming, which encapsulates code within objects.<\/li>\n
    • <\/b>Scripting language:<\/b><\/strong>Python is widely used for system scripting, meaning short programs that automate tasks.<\/li>\n
    • <\/b>Multi-paradigm:<\/b><\/strong>Python can be written in a procedural way, an object-oriented way, or a functional way.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Is Python interpreted or compiled?<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0Technically both: CPython (the standard interpreter) first compiles your source code into bytecode<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0(.pyc\u00a0files), then the Python Virtual Machine interprets that bytecode line by line. Because there is no separate compile step for you, Python is described as an interpreted language.<\/p>\n

      Python is called a high-level language<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0because its syntax is far from machine code: you write print(“Hello”)\u00a0rather than managing registers or memory addresses.<\/p>\n

      What Are the Key Features of Python?<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
      Feature<\/strong><\/td>\nWhat it means in practice<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Readable, English-like syntax<\/td>\nUses new lines to end a command and indentation (whitespace) to define blocks, instead of semicolons and curly brackets<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Fewer lines of code<\/td>\nPrograms are typically shorter than equivalents in Java or C++<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Interpreted<\/td>\nCode runs as soon as it is written, so prototyping is very quick<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Cross-platform<\/td>\nRuns on Windows, Mac, Linux, Raspberry Pi and more<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Free to download<\/td>\nAvailable at no cost from python.org<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Multi-paradigm<\/td>\nSupports procedural, object-oriented and functional styles<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

      What Is Python Used For?<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\n
        \n
      • <\/b>Web development (server-side):<\/b><\/strong>Python runs on a server to create web applications.<\/li>\n
      • <\/b>Software development and workflows:<\/b><\/strong>Python can be used alongside other software to create workflows.<\/li>\n
      • <\/b>Databases and files:<\/b><\/strong>Python connects to database systems and can read and modify files.<\/li>\n
      • <\/b>Data and mathematics:<\/b><\/strong>Python handles big data and performs complex mathematics.<\/li>\n
      • <\/b>System scripting and automation:<\/b><\/strong>from rapid prototypes to production-ready software.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        In today’s job market, this translates into roles in data analysis<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0(pandas, NumPy), machine learning and AI<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0(scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch), web back-ends<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0(Django, Flask, FastAPI), automation\/scripting<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0(file handling, web scraping, email automation) and testing<\/b><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

        Why Use Python? Is Python Easy to Learn?<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\n

        Python is considered a beginner’s language: its syntax is similar to English, programs need fewer lines than in many other languages, and code runs immediately without a compile step. It still supports serious applications, from simple text processing to web browsers and games.<\/p>\n

        For most beginners, Python is not hard to learn. The basics (variables, loops, functions) can be picked up in a few weeks; the harder part is practice and building projects. Whether it is the “best” first language depends on your goal: Python is the usual choice for data, AI and automation, JavaScript for front-end web development, and Java\/Kotlin for Android apps.<\/p>\n

        How to Write and Run Your First Python Program<\/b><\/strong><\/h1>\n

        Part 2 \u2014 Tutorial<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

        In this tutorial you will write a one-line Python program, save it as helloworld.py, run it from the command line, and then run the same code in the interactive Python shell. It takes about 10 minutes and 5 steps, using nothing but a text editor and your computer’s terminal.<\/p>\n

        Prerequisites<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\n
          \n
        • Python 3 installed (many PCs and Macs already have it; otherwise download it free from python.org).<\/li>\n
        • A text editor such as Notepad, VS Code or IDLE.<\/li>\n
        • Basic familiarity with opening Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac\/Linux).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Steps<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\n

          Step 1: Create a new file named helloworld.py<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

          Open any text editor and save an empty file with the .py\u00a0extension. The extension tells your system and the interpreter that this is Python source code.<\/p>\n

          Step 2: Write your first line of code<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

          Type the following and save the file.<\/p>\n

          print(“Hello, World!”)<\/p>\n

          Step 3: Run the file from the command line<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

          Open your command line, navigate to the folder where you saved the file, and run it. The output should read Hello, World!<\/p>\n

          C:\\Users\\YourName> python helloworld.py<\/p>\n

          Hello, World!<\/p>\n

          Step 4: Try the interactive Python shell<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

          Type python\u00a0on its own to open the shell, then type code at the >>>\u00a0prompt. The result appears immediately.<\/p>\n

          C:\\Users\\YourName> python<\/p>\n

          >>> print(“Hello, World!”)<\/p>\n

          Hello, World!<\/p>\n

          Step 5: Exit the shell<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

          When you are done, type exit()\u00a0to return to the normal command line.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          What Is Python?\u00a0 Python\u00a0is a general-purpose, high-level, interpreted programming language designed to be highly readable. It was created by Guido van Rossum\u00a0between 1985 and 1990 and first released in 1991. Python is used for web development (server-side), software development, mathematics and system scripting, and it is one of the easiest languages for beginners to learn. 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