Python Open source programming language

Introduction 

Python is a programming language that lets you work more quickly and integrate your systems more effectively. Learning to use Python can result in immediate gains in productivity and lower maintenance costs.

Python runs on Windows, Linux/Unix, Mac OS X, and has been ported to the Java and .NET virtual machines.

Python is free to use, even for commercial products, because of its OSI-approved open source license.

Python is a remarkably powerful dynamic programming language that is used in a wide variety of application domains. Python is often compared to Tcl, Perl, Ruby, Scheme or Java. Some of its key distinguishing features include:

• clear and easy to read syntax
• easier debugging
• object oriented programming language 
• modular programming language
• supports exception handling
• very high level dynamic data types 
• extensive standard libraries and third party modules for virtually every task 
• extensions and modules easily written in C, C++ (or Java for Jython, or .NET languages for IronPython) 
• embeddable within applications as a scripting interface 

Python is powerful... and fast

Python lets you write the code you need, quickly. And, thanks to a highly optimized byte compiler and support libraries, Python code runs more than fast enough for most applications. The traditional implementation of CPython uses a bytecode virtual machine; PyPy supports just-in-time (JIT) compilation to machine code. Also, Jython and IronPython (see below) support JIT compilation on their respective virtual machine implementations.

Python plays well with others

• Python can integrate with COM, .NET, and CORBA objects. 

• For Java libraries, use Jython, an implementation of Python for the Java Virtual Machine. 

• For .NET, try IronPython , Microsoft's new implementation of Python for .NET, or Python for .NET. 

• Python is also supported for the Internet Communications Engine (ICE) and many other integration technologies. 

Python runs everywhere 

Python is available for all major operating systems: Windows, Linux/Unix, OS/2, Mac, Amiga, among others. There are even versions that run on .NET and the Java virtual machine.


Python is friendly... and easy to learn

Python comes with complete documentation, both integrated into the language and as separate web pages. Online tutorials target both the seasoned programmer and the newcomer. All are designed to make you productive quickly. The availability of first-rate books completes the learning package.

Python is Open

The Python implementation is under an open source license that makes it freely usable and distributable, even for commercial use. The Python license is administered by the Python Software Foundation.


Development environments

Most Python implementations (including CPython) can function as a command line interpreter, for which the user enters statements sequentially and receives the results immediately. In short, Python acts as a shell.

Other shells add capabilities beyond those in the basic interpreter, including IDLE and IPython. While generally following the visual style of the Python shell, they implement features like auto-completion, retention of session state, and syntax highlighting.

In addition to standard desktop Python IDEs (integrated development environments), there are also browser-based IDEs, Sage, (intended for developing science and math-related Python programs), and a hosted IDE, pythonAnywhere.

You can read the next part Python application domains in real world.

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