What is Python? Python Installation and Features

Introduction

Python is a high-level, interpreted, and versatile programming language known for its readability and simplicity. It is widely used in various domains like web development, data analysis, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), automation, and more. Python’s extensive library support and clear syntax make it beginner-friendly while also being powerful enough to handle complex applications.

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Python Features

Python stands out due to its wide range of features, including:

1. Simple and Readable: Python’s syntax is straightforward and beginner-friendly.
2. Interpreted Language: Code execution happens line by line, simplifying debugging.
3. Dynamically Typed: Variable types are determined at runtime, making coding faster.
4. Object-Oriented: Supports classes and objects for modular and reusable code.
5. Extensive Libraries: Comes with libraries for web development, data processing, AI, and more.
6. Cross-Platform: Compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux.
7. Open Source: Python is free to use and supported by a strong community.
8. Supports Multiple Paradigms: Includes procedural, functional, and object-oriented programming.
9. Automation: Efficient for automating repetitive tasks.
10. Integration and Extensibility: Easily integrates with other languages like C/C++ or Java.
11. Versatile: Suitable for web apps, data science, AI, game development, and more.
12. Garbage Collector: Automatically manages memory allocation and deallocation.

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Python Installation

Step 1: Download Python

1. Visit the official Python website: python.org.
2. Navigate to the “Downloads” section.
3. Select the version compatible with your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).

Step 2: Install Python

1. Open the downloaded installer file.
2. Ensure that you check the box “Add Python to PATH” during installation.
3. Follow the installation wizard instructions.

Step 3: Verify Installation

1. Open your terminal or command prompt.
2. Type python --version or python3 --version to confirm Python is successfully installed.

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Understanding Variables and Keywords

Variables

A variable is a named memory location used to store data. In Python, variables are dynamically typed, so there’s no need to specify the type explicitly. For example:

name = "Charishma"  # String variable
age = 20            # Integer variable
pi = 3.14           # Float variable

Keywords

Python keywords are reserved words that cannot be used as variable names. Examples include if, else, while, for, True, False, etc. Here’s an example:

if age > 18:
    print("You are an adult.")

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