Python Introduction and Core Concepts

Anji…
3 min readJan 22, 2024

Python has become one of the most popular programming languages and a default language for building data analysis, data science, machine learning, and AI applications. Python can also be used to build websites and software testing automations or scripts. Python is well known for its simplicity, readability, and ease of learning. Python’s design philosophy emphasizes code readability, and its syntax allows developers to express concepts in fewer lines of code than languages like C++ or Java.

Key Features

  • Readability and Simplicity: Python’s clean and readable syntax allows developers to express concepts with fewer lines of code. Python’s simplicity and readability make it an ideal choice for projects, as it has a minimal learning curve.
  • Extensive Standard Library: Python has a vast standard library and a rich ecosystem of third-party packages, frameworks, and tools.
  • Community Support: A large and active community provides support, documentation, and a wealth of resources for developers that minimize the learning curve further and provide great assistance when developing projects.
  • Dynamic typing: Python is a dynamically-typed language, which means that the type of a variable is determined at runtime. Unlike statically typed languages, such as C++ or Java, Python does not require explicit type declarations. This dynamic typing feature results in faster development time and increases code flexibility.
  • Dynamic binding: Python allows variables to be bound to different objects at runtime. Developers can dynamically bind variables to different objects based on specific conditions or changing requirements, making their code more adaptable and agile.
  • Object Oriented Programing Capabilities: Python embraces object-oriented programming (OOP) principles, including encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism. OOP empowers developers to structure their code into reusable and autonomous modules or components, simplifying the management of intricate applications. Python’s syntax and standard library offer intuitive and convenient means to implement OOP concepts. In Python, developers can declare classes, instantiate objects, inherit properties and methods from parent classes, and employ polymorphism to craft code that is both flexible and maintainable. By harnessing Python’s OOP capabilities, developers can effortlessly architect modular and scalable applications.
  • Cross-platform community: A large and active community provides support, documentation, and a wealth of resources for developers.
  • Rapid prototyping: Python’s interpreted nature allows for rapid development and prototyping.
  • Integration Capabilities: Python seamlessly integrates with other languages and technologies, enhancing its versatility.
  • Read-Evaluate-Print Loop (REPL) Environment: Python offers an interactive shell or Read-Evaluate-Print Loop (REPL) environment, enabling developers to experiment with code snippets quickly. The REPL environment allows developers to execute code and immediately see the output, facilitating rapid prototyping and experimentation.
  • Versatility: Versatility stands out as a key strength of Python. Its applicability spans a broad spectrum, encompassing web development, data analysis, machine learning, scripting, and more. This adaptability empowers developers to employ a unified language across various projects, streamlining their workflow and mitigating the learning curve linked to transitioning between different programming languages.

Cons

  • Performance: Python may not be as fast as languages like C or C++ for certain CPU-intensive tasks.
  • Global Interpreter Lock (GIL): The GIL limits the execution of multiple threads simultaneously, impacting parallel processing in multi-core systems.
  • Design Restrictions: Python’s design philosophy, while promoting readability, may impose restrictions on coding styles.
  • Not Ideal for Resource-Constrained Environments: Python may not be the best choice for applications with stringent memory or performance requirements.
  • Mobile Development: Python is not as widely used for mobile app development as languages like Swift or Kotlin.

Core Concepts

Below is the curriculum to get more familiar with Python.

Basics

  • variables
  • Data types

Flow Controls

  • If, else, elif
  • Loops (for, while)

Functions

  • User defined function with parameters
  • Calling a function

Data Structures

  • Lists, tuples, sets, dictionaries
  • Common operations on data structures

Object-Oriented Programming Concepts

  • Classes and objects
  • Inheritance, polymorphism, and encapsulation
  • Class methods and attributes

File handling

  • Reading and writing files

Modules

  • Creating and using Python modules
  • Understanding and installing external libraries
  • Importing Modules and Packages

Web Development with Flask

  • Setting up Flask
  • Handling routes and requests
  • Rendering templates
  • Creating a simple web application
  • Database Integration
  • CRUD operations

Deployment

  • Deploying Python Applications

That’s all for today!

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Anji…
Anji…

Written by Anji…

Technology Enthusiast, Problem Solver, Doer, and a Passionate technology leader. Views expressed here are purely personal.

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