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Introduction
In this tutorial, I will be introducing you to the basics of Python programming language, its importance, uses, installation, and why it is so popular.
What is Python?
Python is a high-level and object-oriented programming language. It is powerful, easy to learn, and beginner’s friendly. Python was first released in 1991 by Guido Van Rossum. Python is known as a general-purpose programming language and one of the most popular programming languages in the world.
Features of Python
Python has so many features which I will be walking us through.
Easy to use: Python is a high-level language that is easy to learn and understand. The syntax is easy to read and follow.
High Level: Python is a high-level programming, an interpreted language that is easy to read and write. This makes it easier for programmers to quickly write and test code, as well as to identify and fix errors.
Object-oriented: Python is an object-oriented programming language(OOP), which means everything in Python is an object. This allows us to solve complex problems by breaking them down into smaller pieces.
Free and Open Source: Python is both free to use and open source, allowing for collaboration with others. Python has a vast community of developers who contribute to its development and provide support to other developers.
Portable: Python programs can be easily moved from one platform to another without any issues. They run smoothly on Windows, Mac, Linux, and Unix.
Large Standard Libraries: This includes a wide range of pre-built modules and packages that provide ready-to-use functions for various tasks. They are used to solve common tasks, making life easier for programmers.
Extensible and embeddable: Python makes it simple to include other programming languages such as C or C++. This enables programmers to include Python as a scripting language in their already-built applications. This adds scripting and high-performance features to your application.
Why use Python
Python is not strict, and you don't need to specify the variable type or end a statement with a semicolon. Python can be used for different applications which include:
Web Development: Python provides web development frameworks like Django, Flask, and Bottle which make it easier to build dynamic and scalable web applications.
Data Science: Python is used in data science for analyzing data, data visualization, and machine learning. Popular libraries such as NumPy, pandas, matplotlib, and scikit-learn are frequently used.
Machine and Deep Learning: We use frameworks like TensorFlow and PyTorch in machine learning and deep learning.
Game Development: Python libraries can be used in game development which includes PyGame, Pyglet, PySoy, Arcade, and Ren’Py.
Artificial Intelligence(AI): AI can perform tasks that require human intelligence. Different libraries can be used in developing AI applications in Python.
Scripting and Automation: Python is perfect for writing scripts and automating tasks like file operations, web scraping, and data processing.
Desktop Graphics User Interface(GUI): Python can be used to develop desktop applications using libraries like PyGUI, PYGtk, Tkinter, or PyQt.
Cybersecurity and Ethical Hacking: Python is used in cybersecurity and ethical hacking for penetration testing, network scanning, and the development of security tools.
Internet of Things (IoT): Python can be used to control and automate IoT devices.
For more information see this
Before you can start working with Python, you must install it on your machine first. Python releases updated versions regularly. You can download using this link.
The following page will appear when we click on the above link
Click on the button Download Python and Install.
Setting up our Code Editor
You can also use any code editor of your choice with Python, For this tutorial I will be using Visual Studio Code(VS Code) which you can download using this link.
When you click the above link, this page will be opened
Then, click the download button according to the type of system you are using. For example, if you are using Windows you click the Windows button, if you are using Mac, click the Mac button, and so on. After the download is completed you click on install.
To check if Python is installed on our machine, open your terminal and run the following command.
python --version
Running my First Program
Open your Visual Studio Code and create a file with the extension “.py”.
NOTE: Python file is always saved with the extension ”.py"
Then create your first Hello world, To run a Python program, click on the Run Python file button and you will see the output in your terminal.
Here is the output:
Conclusion
We have come to the end of our tutorial, Python is a powerful programming language used by many companies, which includes artificial intelligence, data science, and web development. Python is known for Its simple syntax making it easier for not only for beginners to use but also experienced developers. Whether you are just starting or looking to advance your skills, learning Python can open up numerous opportunities for you. Therefore, exploring Python is worth considering for anyone interested in programming.
Happy coding!
