What is Python and Why is it Popular?

Among the hundreds of programming languages, Python consistently ranks in the TOP 5 in global popularity surveys, reflecting its widespread use and strong developer support.

But why is Python so popular?

In this lesson, we will explore what Python is and why so many people choose to use it.

Python is a programming language initially developed by Guido van Rossum, a Dutch programmer.

Guido aimed to create a language that was easy to read and write, providing an alternative to the more complex programming languages available at the time. In 1991, he introduced Python, which had started as a small personal project.

Thanks to its intuitive syntax and versatile functionality, Python quickly gained popularity and continues to rank among the most widely used programming languages today.

One of Python’s standout features is its simplicity.

The Python community often expresses this advantage with the phrase:

Life is short, you need Python.

Python code is typically concise and easy to understand, making it particularly beginner-friendly.

Its clean and readable syntax ensures that even those new to programming can pick it up quickly.

Python allows you to implement functionalities with fewer lines of code compared to many other programming languages.

Tasks that require multiple lines in other languages can often be completed in just a few lines of Python.

Its intuitive syntax is especially appealing to programming beginners.

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a = 5         # Assign the value 5 to variable a
b = 10        # Assign the value 10 to variable b

print(a + b)  # Output the sum of a and b, which is 15

Python can be used in a wide range of fields, from web server development to data analysis and artificial intelligence, thanks to the various libraries (collections of tools designed to make programming easier) created by developers worldwide.

Python is especially well-known in the data analysis and artificial intelligence fields.

Since its initial release in 1991, Python has benefited from an active development community and continuous improvements.

If you run into issues while programming, there's a good chance someone else has already encountered and solved the same problem, making it easy to find solutions online.