Chapter 1: Getting started with Python
Language
Python 3.x
Version Release Date
3.7 2018-06-27
3.6 2016-12-23
3.5 2015-09-13
3.4 2014-03-17
3.3 2012-09-29
3.2 2011-02-20
3.1 2009-06-26
3.0 2008-12-03
Python 2.x
Version Release Date
2.7 2010-07-03
2.6 2008-10-02
2.5 2006-09-19
2.4 2004-11-30
2.3 2003-07-29
2.2 2001-12-21
2.1 2001-04-15
2.0 2000-10-16
Section 1.1: Getting Started
Python is a widely used high-level programming language for general-purpose programming, created by Guido van
Rossum and first released in 1991. Python features a dynamic type system and automatic memory management
and supports multiple programming paradigms, including object-oriented, imperative, functional programming,
and procedural styles. It has a large and comprehensive standard library.
Two major versions of Python are currently in active use:
Python 3.x is the current version and is under active development.
Python 2.x is the legacy version and will receive only security updates until 2020. No new features will be
implemented. Note that many projects still use Python 2, although migrating to Python 3 is getting easier.
You can download and install either version of Python here. See Python 3 vs. Python 2 for a comparison between
them. In addition, some third-parties offer re-packaged versions of Python that add commonly used libraries and
other features to ease setup for common use cases, such as math, data analysis or scientific use. See the list at the
official site.
Verify if Python is installed
To confirm that Python was installed correctly, you can verify that by running the following command in your
favorite terminal (If you are using Windows OS, you need to add path of python to the environment variable before
using it in command prompt):
$ python --version
Language
Python 3.x
Version Release Date
3.7 2018-06-27
3.6 2016-12-23
3.5 2015-09-13
3.4 2014-03-17
3.3 2012-09-29
3.2 2011-02-20
3.1 2009-06-26
3.0 2008-12-03
Python 2.x
Version Release Date
2.7 2010-07-03
2.6 2008-10-02
2.5 2006-09-19
2.4 2004-11-30
2.3 2003-07-29
2.2 2001-12-21
2.1 2001-04-15
2.0 2000-10-16
Section 1.1: Getting Started
Python is a widely used high-level programming language for general-purpose programming, created by Guido van
Rossum and first released in 1991. Python features a dynamic type system and automatic memory management
and supports multiple programming paradigms, including object-oriented, imperative, functional programming,
and procedural styles. It has a large and comprehensive standard library.
Two major versions of Python are currently in active use:
Python 3.x is the current version and is under active development.
Python 2.x is the legacy version and will receive only security updates until 2020. No new features will be
implemented. Note that many projects still use Python 2, although migrating to Python 3 is getting easier.
You can download and install either version of Python here. See Python 3 vs. Python 2 for a comparison between
them. In addition, some third-parties offer re-packaged versions of Python that add commonly used libraries and
other features to ease setup for common use cases, such as math, data analysis or scientific use. See the list at the
official site.
Verify if Python is installed
To confirm that Python was installed correctly, you can verify that by running the following command in your
favorite terminal (If you are using Windows OS, you need to add path of python to the environment variable before
using it in command prompt):
$ python --version
Comments
Post a Comment