Questions and Answers
What is the main reason why Python is often described as a 'batteries included' language?
Because of its comprehensive standard library
Who is the original creator of the Python programming language?
Guido van Rossum
What is the significance of Python 3.0 released in 2008?
It was a major revision not completely backward-compatible with earlier versions
What is the title that the Python community bestowed upon Guido van Rossum?
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What is the name of the programming language that inspired the creation of Python?
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What was the initial end-of-life set for Python 2.7?
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Which Python implementation continues to support Python 2 with backported security updates?
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What was the version of Python released in May 2022, which marked the end of non-security updates for the 3.9 series?
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What feature was added to Python 3.11 to improve error reporting?
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As of October 2023, which Python versions have active support?
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Study Notes
Python Programming Language
- High-level, general-purpose programming language with emphasis on code readability using significant indentation.
- Dynamically typed and garbage-collected, supporting multiple programming paradigms (structured, object-oriented, functional).
- "Batteries included" language with a comprehensive standard library.
History of Python
- Invented by Guido van Rossum in the late 1980s as a successor to the ABC programming language.
- First released in 1991 as Python 0.9.0, with major revisions in 2000 (Python 2.0) and 2008 (Python 3.0).
- Guido van Rossum was the lead developer until 2018, when a five-member Steering Council took over.
Releases and Updates
- Python 2.7.18 was the last release of Python 2 in 2020, with no further security patches or improvements.
- Python 3.x releases include the 2to3 utility for automating translation of Python 2 code to Python 3.
- Currently, only Python 3.8 and later are supported, with 3.7.17 being the final 3.7.x release.
- Unofficial Python implementation, PyPy, continues to support Python 2 with backported security updates.
Security Issues and Fixes
- In 2021 and 2022, security updates were expedited due to security issues leading to possible remote code execution and web-cache poisoning.
- In 2022, multiple releases were made to address security issues, including 3.10.4, 3.9.12, and 3.8.13.
- As of October 2023, Python 3.12 is the stable release, with only 3.12 and 3.11 receiving active support.
Notable Changes in Recent Releases
- Python 3.11 added increased program execution speed, improved error reporting, and expanded exception handling functionality.
- Python 3.10 added the | union type operator, match and case keywords for structural pattern matching statements.
- Python 3.12 added the new keyword type.
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Description
Learn about Python, a high-level, general-purpose programming language with a focus on code readability and versatility in multiple programming paradigms.
