What is Python? Definition, Basics And Applications

Python is a widely-used programming language known for its readability, versatility, and simplicity. Developed in 1991 by Guido van Rossum, it has grown to become one of the most popular programming languages worldwide. Python is an interpreted language that allows users to write and run code without compilation.

According to a study conducted on the usage of programming languages in websites, it has been found that 1.4% of websites on the internet make use of Python, while only 0.9% of websites use JavaScript.

In this blog, we will provide an introduction to Python basics, covering python meaning, and its advantages and applications.

Introduction to Python

Python is a powerful scripting language that offers immediate code execution without requiring compilation. Its simple syntax rules and a small number of reserved keywords make it easy to learn and read, making it a great choice for beginners. Python’s interpreted nature also allows for easier debugging and testing, further facilitating the learning process.

With a thriving community and a wealth of available resources and tools, Python offers unparalleled versatility. Its built-in libraries and modules make it ideal for a range of tasks, and third-party libraries and packages allow it to be extended to handle virtually any imaginable programming need.

Why Choose Python?

Python is an excellent programming language for beginners due to its simplicity, readability, and ease of use. Here are some of the key reasons why a beginner should choose Python:

• Python is an exceptional programming language for individuals who are just starting due to its straightforwardness and lucidity. In contrast to other programming languages, it has a lower number of syntax rules and reserved keywords, making it more uncomplicated for novices to learn and comprehend. 
• In addition, the Python community is robust and dynamic, and there are a plethora of resources and tools available to beginners to help them get started with coding promptly.
• Apart from its user-friendliness, Python presents a plethora of job prospects across various industries such as data science, machine learning, and web development.
• Python’s versatility is yet another reason why it is favored by beginners, with pre-built libraries and modules that allow it to manage a wide range of activities like scientific computing, data analysis, and automation.
• By acquiring Python, beginners can gain proficiency in a potent programming language that will unlock numerous career prospects and enable them to undertake a variety of programming tasks. 
• With its ease of use, powerful capabilities, and extensive employment opportunities, Python is indisputably a first-rate programming language that beginners should master.

Also Read: Python List Functions

Python Basic Concepts

Python basics for beginners include variables and data types, operators, comments, control structures, functions, and modules. Learning Python by taking a Python certification course and mastering these concepts will help you to lay a solid foundation that is essential for understanding and writing Python codes effectively.

Variables and Data Types

• Variables are containers for storing data values. In Python, a variable is created when a value is assigned to it.
• Python has various built-in data types, like floating-point numbers, strings, integers, and Boolean values.
• Variables can be assigned to any of these data types, and the data type can be changed as needed.

Operators

• Operators are symbols or keywords that perform operations on values or variables.
• Python has several built-in operators, including arithmetic operators (+, -, *, /), assignment operators (=, +=, -=), comparison operators (>, <, ==), and logical operators (and, or, not).

Comments

• Comments are lines of code that are not executed but are included to provide information about the code.
• In Python, comments are denoted by the hash symbol (#).

Control Structures

• Control structures are statements that control the flow of execution in a program.
• Python has several control structures, including if-else statements, loops (for and while), and break and continue statements.

Functions

• Functions are blocks of code that can be called and executed when needed.
• In Python, functions are defined using the def keyword, followed by the function name and any parameters.
• Functions can be used to modularize code and make it more readable and reusable.

Modules

• Modules are collections of functions, variables, and other code that can be used in a program.
• Python has several built-in modules, including math, random, and datetime.
• Modules can also be created by users and imported into a program using the import keyword.

Writing Your First Python Program

Now that we have discussed the basics of the language, let’s implement it. Here are the steps you should follow: 

• Open a Text Editor

To write a Python program, you’ll need to open a text editor. Notepad, Sublime Text, and Atom are all popular choices.

• Create a New File

Once you have your text editor open, create a new file by clicking on “File” and then “New”.

• Define a Variable

To define a variable, the following syntax is used-

variable_name = value

For example, to define a variable called “x” with a value of 5, the following code is written-

x = 5

• Assign Data Types

While defining a variable, you can assign a data type to it using the following syntax:

For example, a variable called “name” with a string value will be written as-

name = “John”

• Add Comments

Comments are used to make tasks easier by explaining your code in single or multiple lines. In Python, comments should be preceded by the “#” symbol. For example:

# This is a comment

• Use Operators

There are different types of operators in Python, including arithmetic, comparison, and logical operators.

• # Arithmetic Operators

x = 5 + 3 # Addition

y = 5 – 3 # Subtraction

z = 5 * 3 # Multiplication

w = 5 / 3 # Division

• # Comparison Operators

a = 5 > 3 # Greater than

b = 5 < 3 # Less than

c = 5 == 3 # Equal to

d = 5 != 3 # Not equal to

• # Logical Operators

e = True and False # And

f = True or False # Or

g = not True # Not

• Print Output

To see the results of your program, you can use the print() function. For example:

print(x)

print(name)

• Save the File

Once you’ve written your code, save the file with a “.py” extension. For example, you might save your file as “variables.py”.

• Run the Program

To run your Python program, open a command prompt or terminal window and navigate to the directory where your “variables.py” file is saved. Then, type the following command:

• python variables.py
• This will run your program and output the results to the console.

Program:

The below-mentioned program prompts the user to enter two numbers, and then performs arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and modulus, on them and thereafter displays the results on the screen. This program makes use of variables to store the values entered by the user and the results of the operations. 

# Prompt the user to enter two numbers

p = float(input(“Enter a number: “))

q = float(input(“Enter the other number: “))

# Perform arithmetic operations

sum = p + q

difference = p – q

product = p * q

quotient = p / q

remainder = p % q

# Display the results

print(“Sum of the numbers is:”, sum)

print(“Difference of the numbers is:”, difference)

print(“Product of the numbers is:”, product)

print(“Quotient of the numbers is:”, quotient)

print(“Remainder of the numbers is:”, remainder)

Also Read: Python Projects For Beginners

Applications of Python

Python is popular for applications like web development, data science, machine learning, and desktop GUI applications because of its flexibility and extensive library support. 

Web Development

Python has various renowned web frameworks. Some of them are Django, Flask, and Pyramid. These frameworks make it easy to build scalable yet dynamic web applications, while providing a lot of built-in functionality that is easy to use, making it possible to build web applications quickly and efficiently.

Data Science and Machine Learning

It is widely used in data science and machine learning due to its extensive libraries such as NumPy, Pandas, SciPy, and Scikit-learn. These libraries provide a lot of tools for data manipulation, analysis, and visualization, as well as machine learning algorithms and models.

Desktop GUI Applications

It can also be used to create desktop GUI (Graphical User Interface) applications using libraries like Tkinter, PyQt, and PySide. These libraries provide a lot of tools for creating GUI applications with buttons, sliders, text boxes, and other interface elements, making it easy to build user-friendly applications.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Python

Advantages

• Easy to Learn and Read

Python has a simple and intuitive syntax, making it easy to learn and read even for beginners. This simplicity also makes it faster to write and easier to maintain code.

• Large Community and Library Support

The extensive support network of Python makes it easy to find solutions to common programming problems.

• Extensive Frameworks and Tools

Python has a variety of frameworks and tools that help in building applications faster and more efficiently. Frameworks such as Django and Flask can simplify web development, while libraries like NumPy and Pandas are useful for data analysis.

• Ideal for Data Analysis and Scientific Computing

It has become the go-to language for data analysis and scientific computing due to its libraries such as NumPy, Pandas, and Matplotlib. These libraries provide tools for data manipulation, visualization, and statistical analysis.

Disadvantages

• Slower Performance

Python is an interpreted language, which makes it slower compared to compiled languages like C or Java. This makes it unsuitable for high-performance computing applications.

• Limited Mobile Computing Support

Python is not well-suited for developing mobile applications due to limited support for mobile computing platforms.

• Weak in Mobile Computing and Game Development

It is not suitable for high-end graphics and video processing, making it unsuitable for game development or mobile applications that require high-end graphics.

• Not Ideal for High-End Graphics and Video Processing

Python lacks the high-performance libraries and frameworks necessary for high-end graphics and video processing applications.

Conclusion

Python is a great choice for beginners looking to learn programming or experienced developers looking for a versatile language with a range of applications. Its ease of use, broad range of libraries, and growing community make it an attractive option for a variety of projects.