Python Tutorial for Beginners — Introduction to Python
1. Python Tutorial
In this Python tutorial, we will learn about the introduction to Python programming, Python features, an overview of Python architecture, and Python applications in real industry. We will also learn about available python frameworks like Django, Flask, Pyramid etc.
The transition from consuming games and web apps to being the one behind them is exciting. Imagine if, with one technology, you could create all that? The world would be at your fingertips. Well, what if we told you that it’s possible? 1991 changed a lot of things for the programming industry and many others. We’re talking about Python programming, a friendly general-purpose programming language. And in a world of machine learning, Python is here to stay. So let us start with Python tutorial.
Python Tutorial
2. Python Tutorial — What is Python?
Let us start this python tutorial with ‘What is Python?’
Python is an object-oriented language, which means that it can model real-world objects. It is also dynamically-typed because it carries out type-checking at runtime. It does so to make sure that the type of a construct matches what we expect in that context. The distinctive feature about Python is that it is an interpreted language. The Python IDLE (Integrated DeveLopment Environment) executes instructions a line at a time.
Etymology states that Guido van Rossum named it after the comedy group Monty Python. That is why the metasyntactic variables used here are ‘spam’ and ‘eggs’ instead of ‘foo’ and ‘bar’. Unlike as expected, it does not refer to the reptile species. A lot of implementations today run version 2.x, but the future belongs to Python 3.x. It is also called ‘Python 3000’ or ‘Py3K’. CPython, written in C, is the most common implementation of Python. It compiles a Python program into intermediate bytecode.
Apart from the constructs that Python provides, you can use the PyPI (Python Package Index). It is a repository of third-party modules, you can install it using a program called pip. Run the following command in Command Prompt:
pip install library_name
Python or R: To learn the difference between Python and R, please follow Python vs R. For now let is move ahead with the current python tutorial.
3. Python History
Python programming language was conceived in the late 1980s and was named for the BBC TV show Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Guido van Rossum started python implementation at CWI in the Netherlands in December 1989. This was a successor to the ABC (programming language) which was capable of exception handling and interfacing with the Amoeba operating system.
On October 16, 2000, python 2.0 release was there and it had many major new features, that includes cycle-detecting garbage collector for memory management and support for Unicode.
Next version of Python 3.0 was released on December 3, 2008.
Now we know how Python came to the picture. Now let us jump to the Python Architecture in this Python Tutorial.
4. Architecture
This is the architecture of a CPython Compiler/Interpreter.
a. Parser
It uses the source code to generate an abstract syntax tree.
b. Compiler
It turns the abstract syntax tree into Python byte code.
c. Interpreter
It executes the code line by line.
In the below topic of python tutorial, we will cover the components of python programming language.
5. Components of Python
a. Functions
A function is a collection of statements named into one. You can use it when you want to execute all those statements at a time. You can call it wherever you want in a program. A function may return a value.
b. Classes
As we discussed, Python is an object-oriented language. It supports classes and objects. A class is an abstract data type. In other words, it is a blueprint for an object of a certain kind. It holds no values.
c. Modules
A Python module is a collection of related classes and functions. We have modules for mathematical calculations, string manipulations, web programming, and many more.
d. Packages
A package is a collection of related modules. You can either import a package or create your own.
Now let us learn about the features of Python in this python tutorial. Based on these features you will be able to choose a programming language for your new project.
6. Features of Python
Python is one of the richest language, in this python tutorial we will discuss several features of python:
Python Tutorial — Features of Python
a. Easy
Python is very easy to learn and understand, using this python tutorial any beginner can understand basics of python.
b. Interpreted
It is interpreted(executed) line by line. This makes it easy to test and debug.
c. Object-Oriented
It supports classes and objects.
d. Free and Open Source
The language and its source code are available to the public for free, no need to buy a costly license.
e. Portable
You can run Python on Windows, Mac, Linux or any other platform.
f. GUI Programming
You can use it to develop a Graphical User Interface.
g. Large Library
Python provides you with a large standard library. You can use it to implement a variety of functions.
Read more about the features of Python in Detail in another of out Python tutorial on features of Python.
Now in This Python Tutorial let us see the Frameworks available in Python.
7. Frameworks available in Python
Python Tutorial — Python Frameworks
a. Django
This is a free and open-source framework that was written in Python and is the most common framework for Python. It allows you to create database-driven websites. It follows the DRY Principle (Don’t Repeat Yourself). Popular websites like Instagram, Mozilla, and Disqus make use of it.
b. Flask
Like Django, Flask is a web framework written in Python. It is a micro framework because it does not need certain libraries and tools. It also does not have form validation or a database abstraction layer. However, you can make use of extensions to add extra features.
c. Pyramid
Pyramid is another web framework. It is neither a mega-framework that would make decisions for you nor a micro-framework that wouldn’t force decisions. It gives you optimal liberty on your project.
d. Tornado
Another open-source web framework, it was written in Python. It is noted for its excellent performance and scalability.
e. Bottle
Like Flask, it is a micro-framework for Python. It is used for web development. Bottle is known for its speed, simplicity, and light-weight. A single file can run both Python 2.5+ and 3.x
f. web2py
Written in Python, web2py is another open source web framework. It emphasizes on rapid development, and follows an MVC architecture. MVC stands for Model View Controller.
g. NumPy
NumPy is an open-source framework for Python. It is used for scientific computing. It supports large multidimensional arrays and matrices, and functions to operate on them.
h. SciPy
SciPy is a Python library that you can use for scientific computing. It has modules for linear algebra, interpolation, fast Fourier transform, image processing, and many more. It uses a multidimensional array from the NumPy module.
i. Pylons
This is a deprecated framework, which means it is no longer recommended. It is a web framework, and is open source as well. It makes extensive use of third-party tools.
Next chapter in the Python tutorial is the different Flavors of Python.
Read: Python Variables and Data Types
8. Flavors of Python
Python Tutorial — Python Flavors types
a. CPython
This is the most widely accepted implementation of Python. It is written in the language C, and is an interpreter.
b. Jython
Jython is a Python implementation written in Java. A Jython program can import any Java class. It compiles to Java bytecode.
