Introduction to Python

Introduction to Python

What is Python? Python is a high-level, general-purpose, interpreted programming language created by Guido van Rossum in 1991. It is known for its simplicity, readability, and versatility.

Key Features of Python:

• Interpreted: Python code is executed line by line, without requiring compilation.
• Object-oriented: Python supports object-oriented programming, where data and methods are organized into objects.
• Dynamically typed: Python doesn't require explicit type declarations for variables; types are assigned automatically.
• Extensible: Python allows extending its functionality with modules and packages.
• Cross-platform: Python code can run on multiple operating systems such as Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Getting Started with Python:

1. Install Python: Visit the Python website (https://www.python.org/) and download the latest version.
2. Open a Python Interpreter: In your terminal or command window, type python to open the Python interactive interpreter.
3. Write Python Code: Enter Python code into the interpreter, and press Enter to execute it. For example:

print("Hello, world!")

Basic Syntax:

• Indentation is significant in Python. Statements within blocks (e.g., functions, loops) must be indented using whitespace.
• Variables in Python are not declared with a specific type. They can be assigned values using the assignment operator (=).
• Comments start with a hash sign (#) and are used to add annotations or clarify code.

Examples:

# Calculate the area of a circle with radius 5

radius = 5

area = math.pi * radius ** 2

print(area)

# Loop over a list of numbers and print each one

numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

for number in numbers:

    print(number)

Advantages of Python:

• Easy to learn and use
• Versatile and can be used for various tasks
• Strong community support and extensive libraries
• Cross-platform and portable

Applications of Python:

• Web development
• Data science and machine learning
• Scripting and automation
• Game development
• Artificial intelligence