Python is an easy-to-learn programming language that has some really useful features for a beginning programmer. The code is quite easy to read when compared to other programming languages, and it has an interactive shell into which you can enter your programs and see them run.

Python was created in the early 1990s by Guido van Rossum at the National Research Institute for Mathematics and Computer Science in Netherlands.

Python is simple in its design, yet incredibly flexible and powerful. In fact, considering Python code is easy to read and enforces good programming style without being overly strict about syntax, many believe Python to be the best introductory programming language.

Depending on your career goals, Python may be the language to start with. To illustrate how Python differs from other introductory languages, think learning to program using Python is a lot like driving your parents’ minivan. Sure, it’s not flashy, and before you’re behind the wheel the first time, you have no idea what you’re doing. But once you’ve taken a few trips around a parking lot you’ll begin to understand how to drive and quickly discover everything that’s possible with this new-found skill. Trying to learn to program using C (or even Assembly) is like learning how to drive by assembling your parents’ minivan. You’ll be stuck in the garage for years putting the van together, and while you may eventually emerge with a full appreciation of how the vehicle works and be able to troubleshoot and predict future issues, chances are you’ll burn out before ever getting behind the wheel.

Python is very versatile. You can create websites, and build desktop applications and games with Python. In fact Python is one of Google’s preferred languagesThey build a lot of their products with Python (in fact much of the Google spidering and back end search capabilities were built in Python). About 80 percent of the top computer science programs in the country teach Python as the introduction to the program.

Let’s break down some of the features of python

It’s really easy to learn:

Python is very easy to learn and the way the language was designed, the commands (that’s the code you write) are mostly in normal English, so if you want to tell the computer to write something you type print “something” and run the program.

A simple program written in C++, C, Java and Python. All program prints “Hello world”.

C++ Program :

 #include <iostream>
    int main()
        {
        std::cout << "Hello World" << std::endl;
    return 0;
        }

C Program :

    #include <stdio.h>
    int main(int argc, char ** argv)
        {
        printf(“Hello, World!\n”);
        }

Java Program :

 public class Hello
    {
    public static void main(String argv[])
    {
    System.out.println(“Hello, World!”);
    }
    }

Python Program :

print ( "Hello World")

Its Free

Python is publicly available open source software, anyone can use source code that doesn’t cost anything.

Object-Oriented

Python is a full-featured object-oriented programming language, with features such as classes, inheritance, objects, and overloading.

Up to date:

Because of Python’s volunteers and the fact that it’s an open source language there are always people trying to improve it. That’s means new versions of the language are regularly released, that keep the language fresh and up to date with current trends, making it a more powerful language that is less likely to fade away into obscurity.

Great community:

Ever have a problem you can’t figure out, or a link your can’t find, just ask one of the thousands of Python community members who are more than willing to help out. You will find them on forums, Twitter, Facebook, Q&A sites, pretty much everywhere.

Free resources:

Volunteers and Python members took their generosity to the next level when they created a great beginners guide to Python, couple that with some great YouTube tutorials and you have yourself a language that’s is not only free but is also free to learn. Great, huh?

This makes it easy to remember commands and also makes it easy to understand what you are doing. Apparently other languages don’t act like this and you have to remember non-sensicle abbreviations.

An interpreted language

Python is an interpreted programming language, which means you don’t need to bother learning how to compile code. Since there is no compilation step, productivity is increased and the time to edit/test/debug is considerably reduced. Simply download an integrated development environment (IDE), write your code, and press “Run”.

A general purpose, high-level language

Python is referred to as general purpose, high-level programming language, meaning you can use Python to create essentially any type of program or software. This versatility keeps you interested because you’re developing programs and solutions catered to your interests, rather than getting stuck in the weeds worrying about syntax (things like remembering to add a semicolon at the end of each line).

Readability is key

Python’s simple, easy-to-learn syntax emphasizes readability and enforces good programming style, such as indenting and the importance of naming conventions. Not only can you express concepts in far fewer lines of code, it also forces you to consider your programming logic and algorithms. To that end, it is often used as a scripting, or glue, language to connect existing components together and churn out large quantities of easily readable and functional code in short periods of time.

It’s just fun

You can’t name your language after Monty Python without having a little fun. An important goal of both the creator of Python, Guido van Rossum, and the current administrators of the language (Python Software Foundation) is to make Python fun and easy to use. In fact, a test was run comparing the time it takes to write a simple script in the various languages (Python, Java, C, J, BASIC). It was determined that while the other languages certainly should not be ignored:[Python] requires less time, less lines of code, and less concepts to be taught to reach a given goal. […] Finally, programming in Python is fun! Fun and frequent success breeds confidence and interest in the student, who is then better placed to continue learning to program.”