Your Python Introduction Journey Top 20 Questions Answered
1. What is Python programming?
Python is a general-purpose programming language which has gained considerable popularity and is quite easy to learn due to different kinds of applications for which it was developed. Its syntax is reputed to be easy and simple as a beginner's language. Python is interpreted which means no worries for memory management or any other low-level operations. Python is also versatile enough to be used in areas such as web development, data analysis, artificial intelligence, automation, scientific computing and much more. The very thing that makes Python so much popular is that programmers write much less code for doing more work, which is supported by a large community who create lots of useful libraries and tools.
2.How to install Python?
Installing Python is very simple. Here is how to install it:
1. Official Python website: Go to python.org.
2. Download Installer: Choose the version of Python to install (often best for most people just to choose the newest version).
Under Use: Click on the "Download" for your operating system (Windows, macOS and Linux).
3. Run Installer: After downloading, run the installer and make sure you tick the box that says Add Python to PATH before you choose Install Now.
4. Check Installation: Open a terminal or command prompt and type
python --version or python3 --version to ensure that the installation worked correctly.
Now you are ready to start coding in Python!
3.Difference between Python 2 and Python 3?
Python 2 and Python 3 refer to two versions of the programming language Python. Importantly, there are some major differences between the two.
These differences indicate that Python 3 is the better choice for programming in the present era.
Python 2:
•Old Version: Python 2 was launched in 2000, has been phased out of production or isn't being actively supported since January 1, 2020. •Print Statement: In Python print function does not require parentheses. You write it like this: print "Hello, World!" •Unicode Support: Python treats text and characters with manualism under different encodings. •Division: When two integers were divided, Python 2 returned an integer (floor division). 5/2 would return 2 instead of 2.5.
Python 3:
•New version: Python 3 is the future and continues to be updated and enhaced. •Print function: In Python 3, printing is a function and one needs to call it like so: print("Hello, World!") •Unicode support: Python 3 uses Unicode by default, which implies that it automatically handles almost any character from any language. •Division: In Python 3, the division of two integers results in a decimal. For example, 5 / 2 would give 2.5. This is more intuitive.
Why Choose Python 3?
•Modern Libraries: Most modern libraries and tools are designed for Python 3 ready.
•Better Support: Because Python 2 is not formally supported anymore the features and bug fixes you will get in Python 3 are the most current ones.
•Easy to Learn: Compared to Python 2, Python 3 is easier to use and more consistent in its syntax for use by new learners.
In conclusion, Python 3 is the one you should begin to learn, as Python is still developed actively and is future proof.
4. What are the key features of Python?
Python is known as having simple syntax and this makes it one of the easiest languages to learn.
Below are some of the specific characteristics:
1. Easy to Learn and Read: The clear and simple syntax of Python makes it easy to understand and to write.
2. Interpreted Language: Python code is executed line by line which makes it very easy when debugging and testing.
3. Dynamically Typed: No need for declaring variable types such as integers or strings automatically handled by Python.
4. Cross-Platform: Everything runs within any operating systems, Windows, Mac and Linux, making them extremely portable.
5. Comprehensive Libraries: Python counts with a huge quantity of libraries and frameworks (like Django, Flask, NumPy, Pandas), making development faster and easier.
6. Object-Oriented: Python supports OOP, which organizes code into reusable classes and objects.
7. Open Source: Anyone can use or distribute Python freely. A big community contributes towards its continuous improvement. All of these features make Python an excellent choice for various forms of development from web applications to data analysis and machine learning.
5. What is PIP in Python?
PIP is the Package Installer for Python. It is an application that assists in managing Python packages (libraries and modules), installing them and removing or upgrading them. A significant number within the ecosystem of packages within Python can be easily added to your specific application by PIP.
Example: Use NumPy for an example of data analysis library: pip install numpy Adding new features to your Python applications became much easier without writing everything from scratch.
6.How to check which Python version is installed?
To check which version of Python you have installed, open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:
python --version
or
python3 --version
This will show the version of Python current on your system, such as Python 3.9.0 or Python 3.8.5. In case there are several versions of Python, one may have to specifically use python3 to check the version of Python 3.
7.How to create your first Python program?
It is very easy to create the first Python program. You just need to follow these simple steps:
1. Open a text editor: be it Notepad, Visual Studio Code, or Python's IDLE (more on that later).
2. Write your code: Simply write the following code in it:
3. print("Hello, World!")
4. Save your file: Save your file as .py: hello_world.py.
5. Run the program: Open command prompt. or terminal, go to the folder where the file is saved and write:
6. python hello_world.py
It should say:
Hello, World!
Well done! You have written and run your first Python program!