What is Python? Everything You Need to Know

If you are on the lookout for a short, crisp, and targeted information source to satisfy your quest to learn Python, then look no further! 

This blog aims to highlight the basics of Python by dwelling about the most important topics pertaining to the language! 

After skimming through this blog, you’ll be able to execute your own Python packages. It will also help you grasp the advanced topics of the programming language. 

Let’s build your knowledge about Python, brick by brick and discuss every query that you had in mind about the language by the end of this article! 

What Is Python and Why You Must Learn It? 

Python is regarded as a high-level programming language which is based on the concept of object-oriented programming. Therefore, while coding in Python, you’re more likely to encounter run time errors. 

The reason why Python is equally popular amongst beginners and advanced techies is because it’s super easy to code and learn. It functions as a bridge between the world of software developers and business-owners. Furthermore, it takes much less time to bring a program or code to the market. 

To support budding Python developers, there are hundreds of standard textbooks and other information sources available. By using Python, a software developer can build any type of application. The sky's the limit! 

Now, let’s feed your excitement further and jump straight to the basics of Python that you need to master to execute a Python application!  

What are the Basics of Python? 

To learn the Python basics sequentially, we’ll divide this tutorial into certain sections. 

Getting Started 

Python is famous for having easy-to-understand and implement syntax. If you’re a budding Python developer, then you’ll be happy to learn that you can run a Python program on all desktop computers. 

This would be a common way to learn basics of python or even for the basics of javascript

Today, Python is used under several domains of application like - Desktop apps, web development, general software applications, etc. 

• To begin a Python program, you first need a Python interpreter. This interpreter will help you execute the code. 
• Once you have a Python interpreter (preferably graphical editor) installed, open the terminal to run the code and then launch it. 
• In case you don’t want to deal with installing an interpreter, you can switch to using a Python IDE. This exercise can save you a lot of time, especially if you are not a terminal expert. 

Implement the Python Scripts 

• Since Python files and modules have a .py extension, it is recommended that you save your Python scripts as the name.py file. 
• It is up to the programmer to choose the text editor they like for Python. However, it’s better if you use an editor that supports text highlighting and line numbers. 
• You can run a Python program either from the command line or the terminal.
• If you are using Windows, then hold the r key + windows key, command, and hit enter. 
• If you are using Mac OS, use a finder to launch the terminal. Then press space + command and type terminal. Hit enter. 
• To start the Python program, you have to open the command type and line. For MAC users, this can be seen in the current directory and for Windows users, it will be available in the command line title. 

Variables 

Python is known for supporting multiple types of variables like - floating point numbers, whole numbers, and text. 

The best part about the language is that you can directly assign a random value to any variable, type the Python program, and directly launch it. The program determines the variable type based on the value assigned to it. 

When it comes to naming the variable, remember that the variable name should begin with an alphabet ( lower or upper case) or an underscore. In Python, the name of a variable cannot begin with a number. The names of variables are case sensitive too. 

A common practice in Python is camel casing. This means that programmers usually type the first letter in small case and the following words in capitals. 

Strings 

Text in Python is equivalent to strings. To indicate Python that they want to use a string, programmers generally employ the double-quotes sign. Strings are a type of variables or data types that are meant to hold a text. You can access the individual characters in a string using block quotes and create a substring using a colon. 

Replace 

Python offers in-built support for the replacement of a string. Since a string is a type of variable that holds data, you can replace it using a string object. Python’s functionality in offering string replacement truly gives it a competitive edge over the rest of the languages. 

To do this, you need to define the string and implement the replace() method. The first parameter in this method is a word to search and the second one is used to define the new value. The output of it all is then saved in the string. 

Join 

Just like the replace() method, the join(sequence) method helps join various string elements into a single combined string. In layman terms, this method joins every word in a string to form a comprehensive sentence. 

String Find 

A standard built-in method in Python is the find(query) method. All you need to do is call the find(query) method on the string object to find a string. 

It searches for the query string and then returns the position of the character if found. If the search is unsuccessful, then it returns -1. 

String Split 

You can use the split(param) method to split a particular split into various substrings. It’s a part of the spring object and is considered as an optional parameter. That said, you can use this method to split a specific character or string. 

Generate Random Numbers 

To generate random numbers in Python, you must type import module. This act will load all the necessary functions inside a module. A floating point number is generated between 0 and 1. 

However, remember that the random numbers associated with a random module are known as pseudo-random numbers. This does not hinder most of the programs in Python. 

Conclusion 

The above sections on basics of Python are enough to give you a head start with writing and running a program in Python. 

Once you’re through with the basics, you can learn more about control structures, data and operations, OOPS, and other advanced concepts of Python. 

And, if you’re curious enough, you can even use your knowledge of Python to supplement learning other programming languages such as the basics of Javascript