Python 101 - Introduction to Python

By Dave Kuhlman
2005-07-02


Python 101 -- Introduction to Python

Python is a high-level general purpose programming language. Because code is automatically compiled to byte code and executed, Python is suitable for use as a scripting language, Web application implementation language, etc. Because Python can be extended in C and C++, Python can provide the speed needed for even compute intensive tasks.

Important Features of Python

• Built-in high level data types: strings, lists, dictionaries, etc.

• The usual control structures: if, if-else, if-elif-else, while, plus a powerful collection iterator (for).

• Multiple levels of organizational structure: functions, classes, modules, and packages. These assist in organizing code. An excellent and large example is the Python standard library.

• Compile on the fly to byte code -- Source code is compiled to byte code without a separate compile step. Source code modules can also be "pre-compiled" to byte code files.

• Extensions in C and C++ -- Extension modules and extension types can be written by hand. There are also tools that help with this, for example, SWIG, sip, Pyrex.

Some things you will need to know:

• Python uses indentation to show block structure. Indent one level to show the beginning of a block. Out-dent one level to show the end of a block. As an example, the following C-style code:

  if (x)
  
  {
  
      if (y)
  
      {
  
          f1()
  
      }
  
      f2()
  
  }
  
  

  in Python would be:

  if x:
  
      if y:
  
          f1()
  
      f2()
  
  

  And, the convention is to use four spaces (and no tabs) for each level of indentation.

Where to Go For Additional help

• The standard Python documentation set -- It contains a tutorial, a language reference, the standard library reference, and documents on extending Python in C/C++.

• Other Python tutorials -- See especially:
  • Python introductions

  • Python for beginners

• Other Python resources -- See especially:
  • Python documentation

  • the Python home Web site

  • The whole Python FAQ

Tutorial Pages:
» Python 101 -- Introduction to Python
» Interactive Python
» Data Types
» Simple Statements
» Control Structures
» Organization


Copyright (c) 2003 Dave Kuhlman

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