History and Design of Python Programming Language

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Questions and Answers

What is the correct way to run a Python script named 'hello.py' in a Python interpreter?

start hello.py

python hello.py (correct)

run hello.py

execute hello.py

Which paradigm does Python support for writing computer code?

Functional Programming

Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) (correct)

Procedural Programming

Logic Programming

In OOP, what are instances of classes called?

Methods

Objects (correct)

Variables

Functions

What is a primary benefit of Python being a high-level programming language?

Abstracts away low-level details Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following operations can Python perform without needing to worry about low-level details?

File handling (open('file.txt', 'r')) Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic allows Python to have dynamic semantics?

Dynamic typing Signup and view all the answers

What type of language is Python?

Interpreted Signup and view all the answers

Who is the founder of Python?

Guido Van Rossum Signup and view all the answers

When did Guido Van Rossum start working on Python?

Late 1980s Signup and view all the answers

What makes Python ideal for rapid application development?

Dynamic typing Signup and view all the answers

Which country was Python's development initiated in?

Netherlands Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of Python that connects existing components together?

Dynamic binding Signup and view all the answers

What was the main objective of Python's design philosophy?

To provide code readability and advanced developer productivity Signup and view all the answers

Why was Python considered to be considerably good at the time of its release?

It used fewer codes to express concepts compared to other languages Signup and view all the answers

What can be said about Python's development process due to it being an interpreted language?

Quicker and easier since the code is executed line by line Signup and view all the answers

Which programming languages did Python use fewer codes to express concepts as compared to during its release?

JAVA, C++, and C Signup and view all the answers

What did Python become capable of providing during the time of its release?

Classes with inheritance, core data types of exception handling, and functions Signup and view all the answers

How has Python's versatility contributed to its popularity?

Being general-purpose and beginner-friendly for a variety of programs Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

History of Python

Python development started as a hobby project by Guido Van Rossum in the late 1980s to keep himself occupied during Christmas.
The language was released in 1991, with a design philosophy that prioritized code readability and advanced developer productivity.
At its release, Python was already capable of providing classes with inheritance, core data types, exception handling, and functions.

Characteristics of Python

Python is an interpreted language, which means it does not need to be compiled before execution.
Python code is executed line by line by an interpreter, making the development process quicker and easier.
Python is a general-purpose language, meaning it can be used to create a variety of different programs and isn't specialized for any specific problems.
Python is considered an object-oriented language, supporting concepts like classes and objects.
Python is a high-level language, abstracting away many low-level details like memory management and hardware interactions.
Python has dynamic semantics, allowing it to perform operations like string manipulation, file handling, and network communication without needing to worry about low-level details.

Features of Python

Python is capable of providing classes with inheritance, core data types, exception handling, and functions.
Python can be used to build websites and software, automate tasks, and conduct data analysis.
Python's versatility and beginner-friendliness have made it one of the most-used programming languages today.

Examples of Python Usage

You can create a Python script and run it directly in a Python interpreter, without needing to compile it first.
You can create a class called Car that represents cars, with attributes like color and model, and methods like drive() and park().

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Description

Explore the history and design philosophy behind the Python programming language, which was initially developed as a hobby project by Van Rossum in 1991. Learn about Python's focus on code readability, advanced developer productivity, and its efficiency in expressing concepts compared to other languages like Java, C++, and C.