Introduction

Python is a popular and beginner-friendly programming language. It's known for being simple, powerful, and versatile, making it a great choice for beginners and experienced developers alike.

Python is a high-level, interpreted programming language. This means you can write code in plain English (almost!) and run it without needing to compile it into machine language. Python makes coding simple and fun, while still being capable of handling complex tasks.

History and Evolution of Python

Python is one of the most popular programming languages in the world, but it didn’t get here overnight. Its story is fascinating and shows how it grew from a simple idea into a language loved by millions of developers.

The Birth of Python

• Year: Python was created in 1989 by Guido van Rossum. Place: Guido was working at a research institute in the Netherlands called CWI (Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica).
• Idea: Guido wanted to create a language that was easy to read, simple to use, and powerful enough for real-world applications.
• Inspiration:
• Python was heavily influenced by a language called ABC, which was also developed at CWI. Guido liked ABC’s simplicity but wanted to fix some of its shortcomings.

Why the Name "Python"?

The name "Python" doesn’t come from the snake! Guido was a fan of a British comedy series called "Monty Python’s Flying Circus", and he chose the name as a fun and unique choice.

Key Milestones in Python’s Evolution

Python 1.0 (Released in 1991):

• The first official version of Python was released in February 1991.
• Key features included:
• Functions
• Exception handling
• Core data types: str, list, dict
• Modules (reusable code)
• Even in its earliest form, Python was designed to be simple, readable, and easy to learn.

Python 2.0 (Released in 2000):

• Big Changes: Python 2 introduced many new features, but it also caused some challenges.
• Key features included:
• List comprehensions: A concise way to create lists.
• Garbage collection: Automatic memory management.
• The Problem:
• Python 2 had some design flaws, making it incompatible with Python 3. Developers were faced with the challenge of migrating to the newer version.

Python 3.0 (Released in 2008):

• Breaking Changes: Python 3 was not backward compatible with Python 2. This meant old Python 2 code often needed to be rewritten to work with Python 3.
• Why the Change?
• Guido wanted to fix Python’s flaws and make the language better for the future.
• Key features included:
• A new way of handling strings: All strings in Python 3 are Unicode by default.
• Cleaner syntax (e.g., print() became a function).
• Better integer division (e.g., 5 / 2 gives 2.5 instead of 2).

Python's Popularity Boom:

• Python gained popularity rapidly in the 2010s because:
• It's easy to learn.
• It's used in many fields like web development, data science, artificial intelligence, and automation.
• Major companies like Google, Netflix, Instagram, and Dropbox adopted Python.

Why Python Continues to Evolve

Python evolves based on the needs of its users. The Python Software Foundation (PSF) oversees its development, ensuring the language stays modern and relevant. Regular updates bring new features, bug fixes, and performance improvements.

Why Learn Python?

Simple and Easy to Learn

Python's syntax is straightforward and resembles English, making it beginner-friendly.

print("Hello, World!")

The above code prints "Hello, World!" to the screen.

Versatile

You can use Python for almost anything:

• Building websites (using Django or Flask)
• Analyzing data (using Pandas or Numpy)
• Machine learning (using TensorFlow or Scikit-learn)
• Scripting to automate tasks

Huge Community

Python has a massive, helpful community. If you're stuck, there's a good chance someone else had the same problem, and you can find answers online.

Widely Used

Big companies like Google, Netflix, and Instagram use Python.

Features of Python

1. Interpreted: Python doesn't need to be compiled. You write the code and run it directly.
2. Cross-Platform: Python works on Windows, macOS, Linux, and more.
3. Rich Libraries: Python has libraries for everything—math, data analysis, web development, and more.
4. Dynamically Typed: No need to declare variable types. For example:

name = "John"  # Python knows 'name' is a string
age = 25       # Python knows 'age' is a number

Setting Up Python

Here's how you can start with Python on your computer:

1. Install Python:

• Go to python.org.
• Download and install the latest version of Python for your operating system.

2. Verify Installation:

• Open a terminal or command prompt.
• Type the following command to see the version installed

You should see the version of Python installed.

3. Use an IDE or Text Editor:

• IDEs (Integrated Development Environments): PyCharm, VS Code, or IDLE (comes with Python).
• Text Editors: Sublime Text or Notepad++.

Your First Python Program

Let's write and run your first Python program:

1. Open a text editor or Python's built-in IDLE.

2. Type the following code

print("Welcome to Python!")

3. Save the file as welcome.py.

4. Run it:

• Open the terminal or command prompt.
• Navigate to the file’s location.
• Type following command