Python

Python is a high-level, interpreted programming language with a clean and straightforward syntax that is known for its readability, simplicity, and versatility.

Python supports multiple programming paradigms, including procedural, object-oriented (OOP), and functional programming.

One of Python’s standout features is its extensive standard library and vibrant ecosystem of third-party packages, which allow you to accomplish a wide range of tasks without reinventing the wheel. Whether you’re building a web, GUI, or CLI application, automating repetitive tasks, analyzing data, or prototyping, Python provides the tools and libraries you need to get the job done efficiently.

Python is cross-platform, meaning your code can run on Windows, macOS, Linux, and others with little or no modification.

Key Features

Clean and readable syntax: Python code resembles plain English, making it quick to learn and understand—even for beginners.
Interpreted language: Python is executed line-by-line by an interpreter.
Dynamically typed: You don’t need to declare variable types explicitly. Python figures it out at runtime.
High-level language: Python abstracts away most low-level details, so you can focus on solving problems rather than managing memory or pointers.
Cross-platform compatibility: Python runs on all major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, without modification.
Multiple programming paradigms: Python supports procedural, object-oriented, and functional programming styles.
Extensive standard library: Comes with a rich set of modules and functions for everything from file handling to networking and web servers.
Large ecosystem of third-party packages: The Python Package Index (PyPI) hosts thousands of libraries for data science, web development, automation, and more.
Garbage collection: Python automatically manages memory allocation and deallocation, helping prevent memory leaks.
Interactive shell (REPL) Python offers an interactive environment that lets you quickly test code snippets and ideas.
Exception handling: Python includes powerful tools for handling runtime errors cleanly and predictably.
Native support for Unicode: Python natively supports Unicode.
Extensibility and embeddability: Python can be extended with C/C++ modules and embedded into other applications as a scripting engine.
Strong community and documentation: Python boasts one of the largest, most helpful programming communities, with extensive tutorials and documentation.
Rapid prototyping and development: Python’s simplicity and rich ecosystem enable developers to build and iterate on ideas quickly.

Examples

Hello, World!

Here’s a "Hello, World!" example in Python:

Python
      
>>> print("Hello, World!")
Hello, World!

Functions

You can define functions to organize your code:

Python
      
>>> def greet(name):
...     print(f"Hello, {name}!")
...

>>> greet("Real Python Reader")
Hello, Real Python Reader!

Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)

Python supports defining and using classes and objects:

Python
      
        
      
    
>>> class Greeter:
...     def __init__(self, name):
...         self.name = name
...
...     def greet(self):
...         print(f"Hello, {self.name}!")
...

>>> greeter = Greeter("Pythonista")
>>> greeter.greet()
Hello, Pythonista!

Functional Programming

Python treats functions as first-class citizens and provides tools like map(), filter(), and lambda:

Python
      
>>> numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4]
>>> squares = list(map(lambda x: x**2, numbers))
>>> squares
[1, 4, 9, 16]

Comprehensions

Python makes data transformations concise and readable with comprehensions:

Python
      
>>> words = ["Python", "is", "fun"]
>>> lengths = [len(word) for word in words]
>>> lengths
[6, 2, 3]

Exception Handling

Python uses try… except blocks for robust error handling:

Python
      
        
      
    
>>> try:
...     result = 10 / 0
... except ZeroDivisionError:
...     print("Oops! Division by zero.")
...
Oops! Division by zero.

Standard Library

Python’s standard library provides modules for many common tasks:

Python
      
>>> import datetime
>>> now = datetime.datetime.now()
>>> now.strftime("%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S")
'2025-07-07 10:42:00'

Reading and writing files is simple and expressive:

Python
      
>>> with open("example.txt", "w") as f:
...     f.write("Hello from Python!")
...

>>> with open("example.txt", "r") as f:
...     print(f.read())
Hello from Python!

Third-Party Libraries

Python’s ecosystem supports many domains, such as data analysis:

Python
      
>>> import numpy as np
>>> a = np.array([1, 2, 3])
>>> a * 2
array([2, 4, 6])

Tutorial

Introduction to Python 3

An overview of the Python programming language, including a brief history of the development of Python and reasons why you might select Python as your language of choice.

basics career

For additional information on related topics, take a look at the following resources:

Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) in Python (Tutorial)
Recursion in Python: An Introduction (Tutorial)
Defining Your Own Python Function (Tutorial)
The Python Standard REPL: Try Out Code and Ideas Quickly (Tutorial)
How to Use Python Lambda Functions (Tutorial)
Intro to Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) in Python (Course)
Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) in Python (Quiz)
Recursion in Python (Course)
Defining and Calling Python Functions (Course)
Defining Your Own Python Function (Quiz)
Defining Your Own Python Function (Quiz)
Getting the Most Out of the Python Standard REPL (Course)
The Python Standard REPL: Try Out Code and Ideas Quickly (Quiz)
Using Python Lambda Functions (Course)
Python Lambda Functions (Quiz)

By Leodanis Pozo Ramos • Updated July 7, 2025

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