Python is a free and easy-to-navigate computer programming language. It is an object-oriented, multi-purpose, open-source, high-level programming language, and easy-to-use application. It was created by Guido van Rossum, on February 20, 1991, at Stichting Mathematisch Centrum (CWI) in the Netherlands as a successor to a language called ABC. The inspiration for the name python is from the old BBC TV series called Monty Python’s Flying Circus not from python_the snake.
Admittedly, the entirety of python’s programming languages’ success doesn’t fall solely on Guido, it involves several thousands of professional programmers, users, and testers contributing to its development and advancement. This is achieved because python programming software is an open-source programming language as administered by the Python Software Foundation (PSF), Python is Open Source License, OSL-approved, and has no restrictions on its usability and distribution, 0% license fee to be paid for any purpose.
Over three decades after its inception, python is improving and updated, with each version outdating the previous. Python falls into two main categories, Python 2. x and the newer Python 3. x. For the sake of this study to be up to date and muster a comprehensive knowledge of python, we will extensively delve into the new version of Python 3. x in the preceding pages. However, the latest version is Python 3.10.4 released on 24 March 2022.
Python Features
All newer versions of the python application outperform the previous versions with better quality and functions, however, they all have similar characteristics and features. And it’s super important for a student programmer or a professional to be conversant with it for accurate implementation.
- Open Source Language: Python language is a free aspect. It is approved under the OSL(Open Source License) as administered by the PSF(Python Software Foundation). Meaning that experts and learners of computer programmers can go to Python’s official website and download, use, and share the program with others without paying fees. Further in, python is open to the public to give suggestions for its features and advancements in the python community.
- Object-oriented: Python language is written with the use of objects. Meaning, that it uses the idea of class, inheritance, and encapsulation for easy-to-understand and efficient programming.
- High-Level Language: This means that the python language is easily understood by humans. In contrast to the low-level languages, python runs on all platforms and takes less memory, or, and is used widely for programming.
- GUI enabled: Graphical User Interface makes you give the command to the computer by touching icons and symbols without you typing what you want always. GUI is enabled in python by using PyQt5 being the most popular module amongst python programmers. Other top-notch modules includePyQt4, wxPython, or Tk in python.
- Typed: Coding in python is almost like writing in the basic English language. Python is learners friendly that can be learned within hours compared to other languages like Java, C, C#, and Javascript. It doesn’t use many semicolons and curly brackets.
- Universal/Portable Language: If you write code on Windows and you wish to run it on Linux, you don’t need to change some features. It runs on all platforms. Windows runs on Linux, which validates its portability.
- Extensible/Integrated language: Python as a language can be joined to other languages like C, C++, and Java. This is something that was thought impossible before its inception.
- Large Standard Library: On python, you don’t have to write a new code for every project, there are in store over 200 collections of modules and functions already set up by other programmers that are similar to the current need such as web browsers, unit-testing, and gaming
Features of Python 3.10.4
Python 3.10.4 comes with some amazing features which will be extensively discussed throughout this book. Interestingly, python 3.10.4 is in the alpha stage, its special release fixes a regression introduced by BPO 46968 which defiled the cut-cross platform ability of python language to run on Linux 6. In addition to its special features, Python 3.10.4 is more outdated than python 3.9.
There are no new modules added to python 3.10.4, rather it comes with lots of remarkable features that make sense even for a beginner programmer. We will be discussing comprehensively the Features of python 3.10.4 in this book before taking off on its benefits, application, and prerequisites.
Understandable Error Message: Python 3.10.4 does not only alert the programmer to an error message, but it also tells exactly what syntax emotion or commission causes the error message, in this way it enables more accurate debugging.
Example: You want to run the popular hello world program which you saved as hello.py. During the run command, python updates you that something isn’t done right, it simply means that you either omitted a syntax or added a wrong syntax. See example below
Input:
| Python |
| # hello.py print(“Hello, World!) |
Output:
| Shell |
| $ python hello.py File “/home/rp/hello.py”, line 3 print(“Hello, World!) ^ SyntaxError: unterminated string literal (detected at line 3) |
With careful reconsideration, you will notice that you omitted the quotation mark at the end of your string.
Structural Pattern Matching: Simply stated Structural Patterns are used to join many classes into larger working arrangements. The Switch/Case statement is available in Python 3.10.4 which makes it super easy for more powerful decision-making in apps. This is the most interesting development in the newest python feature. It is used to match case statement patterns with actions. This new development enables sequences, mappings, primitive data types, and class instances. Also, we can apply specific actions to different forms of data.
| Python |
| >>> user = {… ” name”: {“first”: “Simon”, “last”: “Gideon Monday”}, … “title”: “Python 3.10 release manager”, … } >>> match user: … case {“name”: {“first”: first_name}}: … pass … >>> first_name ‘Simon’ |
The highlighted lines are structural matching. It matches the above user dictionary with the keyword “First” followed by the variable name. The result of this will be the new dictionary ‘Simon’.
PEP 604: New Type Union in writing: Python 3.10.4 enables the type union X|Y to substitute for [X, Y] which reads ‘either type X or type Y] instead of the longer pattern typing.union
Example
Python 3.9
| def square(number: Union [ int, float]) -> Union[int, float]: return number ** 2 |
Python 3.10.4
| def square(number: int | float) -> int | float: return number ** 2 |
Once again Python 3.10.4 delivers alternatives in a more concise and easy method.
The above examples are the most striking features of python 3.10.4, though the list isn’t exhausted. This book is focused on giving clear and complete knowledge of the python 3.10.4 programming language. Whether a complete novice or with little experience in other programming languages such as Java, C/C++ you’ve got the end game of a book
Why Python?
In today’s world of ever-growing tech-dependent businesses and organizations all scrambling to have a spot online, it’s necessary that a professionally skilled individual in each field must be present to carry out the irreplaceable function of the computer language. There is an ever-increasing demand for people with vital computer skills not limited to Data Analysis, web development, and data visualization in the real world. Below are reasons why you should master the Python language
- Python Skilled Developers are always in demand: The desire for developers across a field is increasingly important demand, meaning there is no dull market for the skilled developer especially the developer that saves time with python
- A well-paid career: The annual income of people with python development ability is estimated to be £ 66000 in the UK
- Many Job Opportunities in the Future: Ever-increasing industries like AI Machine learning, data analysis, web development and more connotes inexhaustible job vacancies
REAL-LIFE APPLICATION OF PYTHON
Python is used by many big names, examples are Netflix, NASA, Google, and Spotify. However, there are thousands of users out there in response to the insatiable demands of the tech world. Some real-life applications of python can be seen below
- SEO: The Search Engine Optimization(SEO) Functions based on atomization which python is equal to the task
- Design: 2D imaging software, such as Paint Shop Pro and Gimp uses the python language
- Finance: Python helps in finance in the aspect of its mathematical capabilities to measure the quantitative and qualitative analysis of finance
- Web Development: Dango, pyramid, and flask has been a vital tool in creating sites like Reddit, Spotify, and Mozilla
- Game Development: Not a gaming language, but python has its use in the gaming industry, you can create a prototype game.
- AI Machine Learning: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Machine Learning(ML) is based on automation and data analysis and python does that perfectly. Python is the popular choice among data scientists. It has an unlimited library in regards to the AI Machine Learning
- Language Development: Languages like Go all, CoffeeScript,t, and Cobra use a similar syntax to python
Python language is the future of computer programming language, which is constantly updating with the evolving generation. It’s a skill that one can muster in a few hours of concentrated learning and that is the sole aim of the book you’re holding. What you’ve read is just a glimpse of what is to be unfolded within the next pages of this book. By the conclusion of the next page Python Syntax, you will be a step closer to being a python wizard.
