Python is an interpreted, high-level, general-purpose programming language. Created by Guido van Rossum and first released in 1991, Python has a design philosophy that emphasizes code readability, notably using significant whitespace. It provides constructs that enable clear programming on both small and large scales. In July 2018, Van Rossum stepped down as the leader in the language community after 30 years.[27][28]
Python features a dynamic type system and automatic memory management. It supports multiple programming paradigms, including structured (particularly, procedural), object-oriented, and functional programming. Python is often described as a glue code language because of its ability to run code written in multiple languages.[29]
Python interpreters are available for many operating systems. CPython, the reference implementation of Python, is open source software[30] and has a community-based development model, as do nearly all of its variant implementations. CPython is managed by the non-profit Python Software Foundation.
When compared to other languages like Java or C++, Python’s design philosophy emphasizes code readability and a syntax which allows programmers to express concepts in fewer lines of code,[31][32] though the language is not limited to smaller scripts. On the contrary, one of its main objectives is ease of use for complex applications.[33] The Zen of Python (PEP 20[34]) expresses the guiding principles behind the language’s design; among them are “beautiful is better than ugly”, “explicit is better than implicit”,[35][36] “simple is better than complex”, “complex is better than complicated” and “there should be one– and preferably only one –obvious way to do it”.[37][38]
