Introduction to Python

History of Python

• Created in the late 1980s by Guido van Rossum
• Released in 1991
• Named after the British comedy group Monty Python's Flying Circus

Features of Python

• High-level language: abstracts away low-level details
• Interpreted language: code is executed line by line
• Object-oriented: supports concepts like classes, objects, and inheritance
• Dynamic typing: data type is determined at runtime
• Large standard library: includes modules for various tasks
• Cross-platform: can run on multiple operating systems

Basic Syntax

• Indentation: uses spaces or tabs for block-level structure
• Variables: no declaration required, assigned using =
• Data types:
  • Integers: int
  • Floats: float
  • Strings: str (single quotes or double quotes)
  • Boolean: bool
  • Lists: list (ordered, mutable)
  • Tuples: tuple (ordered, immutable)
• Operators: arithmetic, comparison, logical, assignment

Control Structures

• Conditional statements:
  • if statements
  • elif statements
  • else statements
• Loops:
  • for loops
  • while loops
• Functions:
  • def keyword
  • Can take arguments and return values

Modules and Packages

• Modules: single files containing Python code
• Packages: directories containing multiple modules
• Importing: using import statement to access modules and packages
• Creating modules: saving Python code in a file with a .py extension

Popular Libraries and Frameworks

• NumPy: numerical computing
• Pandas: data analysis and manipulation
• Matplotlib: data visualization
• Scikit-learn: machine learning
• Flask: web development
• Django: web development