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Questions and Answers
What is significant about Python's design philosophy?
Which version of Python was the last release of the Python 2 series?
What major change occurred with the release of Python 3.0?
Who was the sole lead developer of Python until 2018?
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What feature is associated with the Python 2.0 release?
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What was the initial end-of-life date for Python 2.7 before it was postponed?
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Which Python version introduced the | union type operator?
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How much faster is Python 3.11 claimed to be compared to Python 3.10?
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Which utility is provided with Python 3 to automate the translation of Python 2 code?
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Which of the following Python versions were expedited for security updates in 2022?
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Study Notes
Overview of Python
- Python is a high-level, general-purpose programming language designed for code readability through significant indentation.
- It is dynamically typed and utilizes garbage collection.
- Supports multiple programming paradigms: structured, object-oriented, and functional programming.
- Often referred to as a "batteries included" language due to its extensive standard library.
History of Python
- Guido van Rossum initiated the development of Python in the late 1980s as a successor to the ABC programming language.
- First released as Python 0.9.0 in 1991.
- Python 2.0 launched in October 2000, introducing features like list comprehensions and Unicode support.
- Python 3.0 came out in December 2008, marking significant changes not fully backward-compatible with Python 2.
- The final release of Python 2, version 2.7.18, occurred in 2020.
Development and Leadership
- Van Rossum was the sole lead developer until July 2018, when he stepped down as "benevolent dictator for life" (BDFL).
- In January 2019, a five-member Steering Council was elected to oversee Python's development.
Version History and Support
- Python 2 reached its end-of-life in 2020, but PyPy continues to support Python 2.x unofficially.
- Current support focuses on Python 3.8 and later versions, with only security updates for earlier versions.
- The 2to3 utility assists in translating Python 2 code to Python 3.
Security Issues and Updates
- In 2021 and 2022, expedited security updates were issued due to vulnerabilities allowing potential remote code execution.
- Major releases in 2022 included Python 3.10.4, 3.9.12, and 3.8.13 to address security issues.
Recent Developments
- Python 3.11 claims execution speed improvements of 10-60% compared to 3.10, with enhanced error reporting.
- Python 3.12 introduced new features, including the keyword
typeand further improved performance and error messages. - Notable syntax additions include the
|union type operator andmatch/casekeywords for structural pattern matching introduced in version 3.10.
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Description
This quiz covers the basics of Python, a high-level, general-purpose programming language. It highlights its design philosophy, coding practices, and the various programming paradigms it supports. Familiarize yourself with Python's features and its comprehensive standard library.
