Do You Speak Python? A Glossary of Basic Terms

Most programmers love Python because of the increased productivity it provides. Plus it is a great asset for any coders’ CV.

That said, this is not the only reason Python is so popular among developers. It is considered as the most desired programming skill in 2020 by leading companies such as Google, Spotify and Facebook (edureka). Also, according to Stack Overflows’ 10th annual Developer Survey users of Python seem to be commanding higher salaries. This is probably the reason why, despite the fact that Python fell from second last year to third this year on the list of most loved technologies, being beat out by TypeScript, developers are still eager to learn this language.

What is Python?

According to Python.org, “Python is an interpreted, object-oriented, high-level programming language with dynamic semantics. Its high-level built in data structures, combined with dynamic typing and dynamic binding, make it very attractive for Rapid Application Development, as well as for use as a scripting or glue language to connect existing components together.”

The language’s syntax is considered simple and easy to learn, so if you are a beginner don’t fret.

But first, you have got to start with the ABCs.

Learn Python’s basic terms:

“>>>”

The default Python prompt of the interactive shell. Often seen for code examples which can be executed interactively in the interpreter.

Attribute
A value associated with an object which is referenced by name using dotted expressions.

Class
A template for creating user-defined objects. Class definitions normally contain method definitions which operate on instances of the class.

Data-Type
Different types of information stored by the computer, for example, floats, integers and strings.

Dictionary
An associative array, where arbitrary keys are mapped to values. The keys can be any object with __hash__() and __eq__() methods. Called a hash in Perl.

Function
A series of statements which returns some value to a caller. It can also be passed zero or more arguments which may be used in the execution of the body. See also parameter, method, and the Function definitions section.

List
A built-in Python sequence. Despite its name it is more akin to an array in other languages than to a linked list since access to elements is O(1).

Module
An object that serves as an organizational unit of Python code. Modules have a namespace containing arbitrary Python objects. Modules are loaded into Python by the process of importing.

Parameter
A named entity in a function (or method) definition that specifies an argument (or in some cases, arguments) that the function can accept. There are five kinds of parameter: positional-or-keyword, positional-only, keyword-only, var-positional, var-keyword.

Variable annotation
An annotation of a variable or a class attribute.

Find an extensive list of Python glossary terms here.

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Source: https://www.python.org/

When you type “import this”, Python’s philosophy is printed out.