About python
Python is a high-level, interpreted programming language that is designed to be easy to read, write, and maintain. It was first released in 1991 by Guido van Rossum and has since become one of the most popular programming languages in the world.
Python is an object-oriented language that emphasizes code readability and simplicity. It uses a syntax that is designed to be easy to understand and learn, making it a great language for beginners.
Python is widely used for a wide range of applications, including web development, data analysis, machine learning, scientific computing, and automation. It has a large and active community of users and developers, who have created a wide range of libraries and tools that make it even more powerful and versatile.
One of the key features of Python is its extensive standard library, which provides many useful modules and functions that can be used for a wide range of tasks without requiring additional code. Additionally, Python can be extended through third-party modules and packages, making it highly customizable and adaptable to many different use cases.
Python versions
There have been many versions of the Python programming language released over the years. Here are some of the most notable versions:
- Python 1.x: This was the initial version of Python, with the first stable release being Python 1.0 in 1994. Several minor versions were released in the 1.x series.
- Python 2.x: This series was the most widely used version of Python for many years, with the first stable release being Python 2.0 in 2000. Python 2.7 was the final version of the 2.x series, and it reached end-of-life in 2020.
- Python 3.x: This series introduced several major changes and improvements to the language, and it is the current version of Python. The first stable release was Python 3.0 in 2008, and many minor versions have been released since then. Python 3.10 is the latest stable release as of September 2021.
It’s worth noting that there are also a number of alternative Python implementations, such as Jython, IronPython, and PyPy, which may have different version numbers and features.
Version choice for Python
The “best” version of Python depends on your specific use case and requirements.
For example, if you’re working on a project that requires compatibility with legacy code or libraries that only work with Python 2.x, you may need to use Python 2.7 or an earlier version of Python 2.x.
On the other hand, if you’re starting a new project or working with modern libraries and tools, Python 3.x is generally recommended as it includes many new features and improvements, and it is actively maintained and supported by the Python community.
It’s also worth noting that different versions of Python may have different levels of support and compatibility with various platforms and operating systems. Therefore, it’s important to consider all these factors and choose the version of Python that is best suited for your specific needs.
Install Python in Linux
Python is usually pre-installed in most Linux distributions, but if it is not installed, you can install it using the following steps:
- Open a terminal window on your Linux system.
- Update the package list by running the command ‘
sudo apt update‘ (for Debian-based distributions) or ‘sudo yum update‘ (for Red Hat-based distributions). - Install Python by running the command ‘
sudo apt install python‘ (for Debian-based distributions) or ‘sudo yum install python‘ (for Red Hat-based distributions). This will install the latest stable version of Python that is available in your system’s package manager. - Verify that Python has been installed correctly by running the command ‘
python --version‘. This will display the version number of the installed Python interpreter.
Alternatively, if you want to install a specific version of Python, you can use a package manager like ‘apt‘ or ‘yum‘ to install the desired version. For example, to install Python 3.9 on a Debian-based distribution, you can run the command ‘sudo apt install python3.9‘.
It’s worth noting that the specific commands and package names may vary depending on your Linux distribution and version.
Check my Python version
You can determine the version of Python you are using by opening a terminal or command prompt and typing ‘python --version‘. This will display the version number of the Python interpreter that is currently installed on your system.
Alternatively, you can open a Python shell by typing ‘python‘ in the terminal or command prompt, and then type ‘import sys; print(sys.version)‘ in the shell. This will display the version number of the Python interpreter along with additional information about your system and the Python installation.
Note that if you have multiple versions of Python installed on your system, you may need to specify which version you want to use by typing the version number after the ‘python‘ command, such as ‘python3.9 --version‘.
Some applications on python
Python is a versatile programming language that can be used in many different areas of application. Here are a few examples of real-life applications of Python:
- Web development: Python is widely used for building web applications and websites, often with web frameworks such as Django, Flask, or Pyramid. Many popular websites and web services, such as YouTube, Dropbox, and Reddit, are built with Python.
- Data analysis and visualization: Python provides a range of libraries and tools for data analysis, including NumPy, Pandas, Matplotlib, and Seaborn. These tools are used in fields such as finance, healthcare, and science to analyze and visualize data.
- Machine learning and artificial intelligence: Python has become one of the most popular languages for machine learning and artificial intelligence, with libraries such as TensorFlow, Keras, and PyTorch providing powerful tools for building and training machine learning models.
- Scripting and automation: Python is often used for scripting and automation tasks, such as running system tasks, managing file systems, and automating software testing.
- Game development: Python can also be used for game development, with libraries such as Pygame providing tools for building games and interactive applications.
These are just a few examples of the many real-life applications of Python. Due to its versatility and ease of use, Python has become a popular choice for a wide range of projects in many different fields.
