Python Overview

Overview

• Python is an interpreted language.
• The Python interpreter automatically generates bytecode (.pyc files).
• Strengths:

• Quick to write, no compilation
• Fully object-oriented.
• Many reliable libraries.
• All-round language.

• Weaknesses:

• Writing very fast programs is not easy.

• The lead developer (Guido van Rossum) works for Google Inc.
• It is 100% free software.

Books

• Python in a Nutshell (O'Reilly).
• The Python Cookbook.

Online Resources

• Main documentation and tutorial on http://www.python.org/doc
• Tutorial for experienced programmers: http://www.diveintopython.org
• Tutorial for beginners: http://greenteapress.com/thinkpython/thinkCSpy/html/
• Python Reference Manual – lookup of language basics. http://docs.python.org/lib/lib.html
• Global Module Index – description of all standard modules: http://docs.python.org/modindex.html