Skip to content
Logo de la documentación PyDocs

What's python?

Python is a programming language that is widely used in web applications, software development, data science, and machine learning (ML). Developers use Python because it’s efficient and easy to learn, and it can be run on many different platforms. Python software can be downloaded for free, integrates well with all types of systems, and increases development speed.

History of Python

Section titled “History of Python”

Python was created in the early 1990s by Guido van Rossum at the Stichting Mathematisch Centrum (CWI, see https://www.cwi.nl) in the Netherlands as a successor to the ABC language. Guido continues to be the principal author of Python.

In 1995, Guido continued his work on Python at the Corporation for National Research Initiatives (CNRI, see https://www.cnri.reston.va.us) in Reston, Virginia, where several versions of the software were released.

In May 2000, Guido and the Python development team moved to BeOpen.com to form the BeOpen PythonLabs. In October of the same year, the PythonLabs team moved to Digital Creations, which became Zope Corporation. In 2001, the Python Software Foundation (PSF, see https://www.python.org/psf/) was formed, a non-profit organization specifically created to own the intellectual property related to Python. Zope Corporation was a sponsor of the PSF.

Key Features of Python

Section titled “Key Features of Python”

Python has been designed to be simple, powerful, and versatile. Here are some of its key features that have made it one of the most popular programming languages in the world:

Dynamic Typing

Section titled “Dynamic Typing”

Python is a dynamically typed language, which means you don’t need to declare the type of a variable when you create it. The type is determined automatically at runtime.

This lets you write code more efficiently and flexibly, without having to worry about type declarations.

Clear and concise Syntax

Section titled “Clear and concise Syntax”

One of the major advantages of Python is its clear and concise syntax, which resembles human language. This makes it easier to learn and maintain code.

  • No se usan llaves para delimitar bloques, sino indentación.
  • La lectura del código es más fluida, lo que promueve buenas prácticas de desarrollo.

Multi-paradigm support

Section titled “Multi-paradigm support”

Python does not mandate a single programming style. It offers support for multiple paradigms, allowing developers to choose the approach that best suits their project:

  • Object-oriented programming (OOP): Allows you to define classes, objects, inheritance and encapsulation.
  • Functional programming: Includes higher-order functions, anonymous functions and tools such as map, filter, and reduce.
  • Imperative or procedural style: You can also write code sequentially, as in traditional scripting.

This flexibility allows Python to be used in multiple scenarios, from small scripts to large enterprise or scientific applications.

Python Philosophy (Python Zen)

Section titled “Python Philosophy (Python Zen)”

Python is not only a programming language, but it also embodies a design philosophy that profoundly influences how code is written and understood.

This philosophy is encapsulated in the Zen of Python, a set of principles created by Tim Peters that guide the development and style of the language.

Some of its key ideas include:

  • Simple is better than complex.
  • Explicit is better than implicit.
  • Readability counts.
  • Errors should never pass silently.
  • There is one - and preferably only one - obvious way to do it.

These principles encourage clean, readable and maintainable code, and are a fundamental part of the Python community spirit. You can read the full Zen here: PEP 20 - The Zen of Python