A high-level, interpreted, general-purpose programming language designed to emphasize clear syntax and minimal complexity.
Created by Guido van Rossum and first released in 1991, Python is designed to be clear and readable, which reduces complexity, making programs easier to write, understand, and maintain. Unlike traditionally compiled languages, which are translated into machine code to produce a standalone executable, Python source code is compiled into intermediate bytecode and executed at runtime by the Python interpreter. As a result, Python programs typically run slower than fully compiled programs.
Python uses dynamic typing and automatic memory management, and supports multiple programming paradigms, including procedural, object-oriented, and functional programming. This makes it suited to a wide range of software design approaches.
A defining strength of Python is its extensive standard library, which provides built-in modules for tasks such as file handling, networking, mathematics, data formats (JSON, CSV), and operating system interaction. Beyond the standard library, Python has a vast third-party ecosystem distributed through the Python Package Index (PyPI), enabling rapid development in specialized fields.
Python is widely used across industry and academia, particularly in:
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Web development (e.g. Django, Flask, FastAPI)
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Data science and data analysis (e.g. NumPy, pandas)
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Artificial intelligence and machine learning (e.g. TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn)
- Automation and scripting (e.g. Python standard library)
- Scientific and numerical computing (e.g. NumPy, SciPy)
- Cybersecurity and penetration testing (e.g. Scapy, Metasploit)
- Education and introductory computer science (e.g. IDLE, Jupyter Notebook, VS Code)