{"id":129851,"date":"2022-04-13T15:00:12","date_gmt":"2022-04-13T19:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brainstation.io\/?post_type=codex-reference&#038;p=129851"},"modified":"2025-02-04T14:41:47","modified_gmt":"2025-02-04T19:41:47","slug":"what-is-python","status":"publish","type":"codex-reference","link":"https:\/\/brainstation.io\/learn\/python\/what-is-python","title":{"rendered":"What is Python?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<header class=\"wp-block-bstn-blocks-hero-with-overview bstn-blocks-hero-with-overview\"><div class=\"bstn-blocks-hero-with-overview__full-width-wrapper bstn-blocks-hero-with-overview__full-width-wrapper--main\"><svg fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"bstn-blocks-hero-with-overview__bg-flair--full\"><g opacity=\"0.35\"><path d=\"M-103.887 96.613H499.5\" stroke=\"#3C4556\" strokelinecap=\"square\"><\/path><path cliprule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M174.55-136.427v254.863-254.863zm139.219 0v254.863-254.863zm139.219 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strokelinecap=\"square\"><\/path><path fillrule=\"evenodd\" cliprule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M35.361 218.03c1.76 0 3.187-1.446 3.187-3.23 0-1.783-1.427-3.229-3.187-3.229-1.76 0-3.187 1.446-3.187 3.229 0 1.784 1.427 3.23 3.187 3.23zm139.17 0c1.76 0 3.187-1.446 3.187-3.23 0-1.783-1.427-3.229-3.187-3.229-1.76 0-3.187 1.446-3.187 3.229 0 1.784 1.427 3.23 3.187 3.23zm139.169 0c1.761 0 3.187-1.446 3.187-3.23 0-1.783-1.426-3.229-3.187-3.229-1.76 0-3.187 1.446-3.187 3.229 0 1.784 1.427 3.23 3.187 3.23zm139.17 0c1.76 0 3.187-1.446 3.187-3.23 0-1.783-1.427-3.229-3.187-3.229-1.76 0-3.187 1.446-3.187 3.229 0 1.784 1.427 3.23 3.187 3.23z\" fill=\"#3C4556\"><\/path><path d=\"M534.544 96.613h140.811m138.263 0H1417\" stroke=\"#3C4556\" strokelinecap=\"square\"><\/path><path cliprule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M674.718 96.772v21.664-21.664zM813.618-232v350.436V-232zm139.218 0v350.436V-232z\" stroke=\"#3C4556\" strokelinecap=\"square\"><\/path><path fillrule=\"evenodd\" cliprule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M535.357 100.134c1.761 0 3.187-1.446 3.187-3.23 0-1.783-1.426-3.23-3.187-3.23-1.76 0-3.187 1.447-3.187 3.23 0 1.784 1.427 3.23 3.187 3.23zm139.17 0c1.76 0 3.187-1.446 3.187-3.23 0-1.783-1.427-3.23-3.187-3.23-1.76 0-3.187 1.447-3.187 3.23 0 1.784 1.427 3.23 3.187 3.23zm139.169 0c1.761 0 3.187-1.446 3.187-3.23 0-1.783-1.426-3.23-3.187-3.23-1.76 0-3.187 1.447-3.187 3.23 0 1.784 1.427 3.23 3.187 3.23zm139.17 0c1.76 0 3.187-1.446 3.187-3.23 0-1.783-1.427-3.23-3.187-3.23-1.76 0-3.187 1.447-3.187 3.23 0 1.784 1.427 3.23 3.187 3.23z\" fill=\"#3C4556\"><\/path><path d=\"M673.444 214.487H1417\" stroke=\"#3C4556\" strokelinecap=\"square\"><\/path><path cliprule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M674.718 118.436v228.739-228.739zm138.9 0v350.436-350.436zm139.218 0v350.436-350.436z\" stroke=\"#3C4556\" strokelinecap=\"square\"><\/path><path fillrule=\"evenodd\" cliprule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M813.696 218.03c1.761 0 3.187-1.446 3.187-3.23 0-1.783-1.426-3.229-3.187-3.229-1.76 0-3.187 1.446-3.187 3.229 0 1.784 1.427 3.23 3.187 3.23zm139.17 0c1.76 0 3.187-1.446 3.187-3.23 0-1.783-1.427-3.229-3.187-3.229-1.76 0-3.187 1.446-3.187 3.229 0 1.784 1.427 3.23 3.187 3.23zm-278.339 0c1.76 0 3.187-1.446 3.187-3.23 0-1.783-1.427-3.229-3.187-3.229-1.76 0-3.187 1.446-3.187 3.229 0 1.784 1.427 3.23 3.187 3.23z\" fill=\"#3C4556\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><div class=\"bstn-blocks-hero-with-overview__container\"><div class=\"bstn-blocks-hero-with-overview__copy-container\"><p class=\"bstn-blocks-hero-with-overview__subtitle\">python tutorial<\/p><h1 class=\"bstn-blocks-hero-with-overview__title\">What is Python?<\/h1><p class=\"bstn-blocks-hero-with-overview__description\">Learn more about Python, one of the world\u2019s most versatile and popular programming languages.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"bstn-blocks-hero-with-overview__image-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"bstn-blocks-hero-with-overview__image\" src=\"https:\/\/d3ghupt9z9s6o0.cloudfront.net\/app\/uploads\/2022\/04\/12115006\/Python-Light-Transparent.svg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"bstn-blocks-hero-with-overview__full-width-wrapper bstn-blocks-hero-with-overview__full-width-wrapper--offset\"><div class=\"bstn-blocks-hero-with-overview__container\"><div class=\"bstn-blocks-hero-with-overview__card-container\"><div class=\"bstn-blocks-hero-with-overview__copy-card\"><nav class=\"bstn-blocks-hero-overview\"><h2 class=\"bstn-blocks-hero-overview__title\"><meta charset=\"utf-8\">Tutorial Contents<\/h2><ol class=\"bstn-blocks-hero-overview__list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-bstn-blocks-overview-link bstn-blocks-hero-overview-link bstn-blocks-hero-overview-link--indent-0\" style=\"margin-left:0px\"><a class=\"bstn-blocks-hero-overview-link__anchor\" href=\"#python-overview\">Python Overview<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-bstn-blocks-overview-link bstn-blocks-hero-overview-link bstn-blocks-hero-overview-link--indent-0\" style=\"margin-left:0px\"><a class=\"bstn-blocks-hero-overview-link__anchor\" href=\"#what-is-python-used-for\">What Is Python Used For?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol><\/nav><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/header>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-1 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>Python is a programming language: a structured form of communication used by computers to handle information and complete tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-bstn-paragraph-documentation-body\">Programming languages allow people to write a formal set of instructions that are used to communicate with a computer. They consist of rules on how to write those instructions for the computer (syntax) along with the underlying meaning of those instructions when they are interpreted and executed by a computer (semantics).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-bstn-blocks-section-divider bstn-blocks-section-divider bstn-blocks-section-divider--grey bstn-blocks-section-divider--32\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-bstn-blocks-heading bstn-blocks-heading bstn-blocks-heading--h3 bstn-blocks-heading--mt-0 has-text-align-left\" id=\"python-overview\"><h2 class=\"bstn-blocks-heading__heading-element\">Python Overview<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-bstn-paragraph-documentation-body\">Python is a cross-platform, high-level, object-oriented, and interpreted programming language. Let&#8217;s break this down:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Cross-Platform:<\/strong>&nbsp;Python can be used on Windows, Unix or macOS systems.<\/li><li><strong>High-Level:<\/strong>&nbsp;This language provides high-level data structures and semantics to translate step-by-step instructions into code without worrying about how the underlying system will handle it.<\/li><li><strong>Object-Oriented:<\/strong>&nbsp;It provides syntax and semantics to design systems using Object Oriented Programming (OOP) principles.<\/li><li><strong>Interpreted:<\/strong>&nbsp;It is an interpreted language without complex compilation and linking, thereby allowing users to quickly write computer programs. It enables users to test and iterate on code faster by allowing line-by-line execution and error detection as the user runs code.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-bstn-paragraph-documentation-body\">Programming in Python can be done in many different ways using many different IDEs. However, for the sake of simplicity and to easily grasp core concepts, we will be using an online, interactive code editor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-bstn-blocks-section-divider bstn-blocks-section-divider bstn-blocks-section-divider--grey bstn-blocks-section-divider--32\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-bstn-blocks-heading bstn-blocks-heading bstn-blocks-heading--h3 bstn-blocks-heading--mt-0 has-text-align-left\" id=\"what-is-python-used-for\"><h2 class=\"bstn-blocks-heading__heading-element\">What Is Python Used For?<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-bstn-paragraph-documentation-body\">According to the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/insights.stackoverflow.com\/survey\/\">Stack Overflow Developer Survey<\/a>, over the last few years, Python has topped the list as one of the most popular and desirable programming languages. According to another popular programming language survey called the Tiobe Index, Python remains the most sought-after programming language amongst developers. One may ask, what could be the reason behind that? Let\u2019s uncover why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-bstn-paragraph-documentation-body\">In today\u2019s world of artificial intelligence and self-driving cars, Python is the unseen force behind how we interact with the world. In short, Python is the language of choice for a number of the world-class tech products we use in our daily lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-bstn-paragraph-documentation-body\">Python is used by Intel, IBM, NASA, Pixar, Facebook, JP Morgan Chase, Spotify, and a number of other massive companies. It\u2019s one of the four main languages at Google, with YouTube being largely written in Python. Python also holds an important role with other platforms such as Reddit, Pinterest, and Instagram.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-bstn-paragraph-documentation-body\">Furthermore,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/netflix-python-programming-language-is-behind-every-film-you-stream\/\">Netflix uses Python across their business<\/a>, and also to develop machine learning models that recommends movies based on a user\u2019s viewing habits. These recommendations are further personalized using Python by selecting the artwork a specific user would see for any given recommendation. On top of that, day-to-day security operations at Netflix also makes use of Python to watch for vulnerabilities and threats across various platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-bstn-paragraph-documentation-body\">These projects are just the tip of the iceberg. Python as a programming language impacts our daily lives through so many other products and services we use. Python also remains the language of choice for automation and scripting whether it be large-scale projects for Fortune 500 companies, or a hobby project that will make your life easier by automating tedious tasks.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-bstn-blocks-content-navigation-footer bstn-blocks-content-nav-footer bstn-blocks-content-nav-footer--article\"><div class=\"bstn-blocks-content-nav-footer__links-container\"><div class=\"bstn-blocks-content-nav-footer__link-container\"><p class=\"bstn-blocks-content-nav-footer__link-title bstn-blocks-content-nav-footer__link--desktop\">Previous<\/p><a class=\"bstn-blocks-content-nav-footer__link\" href=\"https:\/\/brainstation.io\/learn\/python\/reference\"><span class=\"bstn-blocks-content-nav-footer__link-icon-wrapper bstn-blocks-content-nav-footer__link-icon-wrapper--left\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 18\" fill=\"none\" class=\"bstn-blocks-content-nav-footer__link-icon bstn-blocks-content-nav-footer__link-icon--left\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M6.345 12.743a1 1 0 001.31 1.511l5.477-4.749a1 1 0 000-1.511l-5.477-4.75a1.001 1.001 0 00-1.31 1.512l4.606 3.993-4.606 3.994z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"bstn-blocks-content-nav-footer__link-text bstn-blocks-content-nav-footer__link--desktop\">Python Reference Overview<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"bstn-blocks-content-nav-footer__link-container\"><p class=\"bstn-blocks-content-nav-footer__link-title\">Next<\/p><a class=\"bstn-blocks-content-nav-footer__link\" href=\"https:\/\/brainstation.io\/learn\/python\/tools\"><span class=\"bstn-blocks-content-nav-footer__link-text\">Python Tools<\/span><span class=\"bstn-blocks-content-nav-footer__link-icon-wrapper bstn-blocks-content-nav-footer__link-icon-wrapper--right\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" 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fill=\"#3C4556\" fillrule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M57.518 535.982a2.286 2.286 0 114.572 0 2.286 2.286 0 01-4.572 0zm0-99.836a2.286 2.286 0 114.572-.002 2.286 2.286 0 01-4.572.002zm0-99.837a2.286 2.286 0 114.572-.002 2.286 2.286 0 01-4.572.002zm0-99.837a2.286 2.286 0 114.572-.002 2.286 2.286 0 01-4.572.002z\" cliprule=\"evenodd\"><\/path><\/g><g opacity=\"0.55\"><path stroke=\"#3C4556\" strokelinecap=\"square\" d=\"M979.195-28.206V397.98m81.185-524.745V397.98\"><\/path><path stroke=\"#3C4556\" strokelinecap=\"square\" d=\"M1141.45 168.46H964h177.45zm0 98.334H964h177.45zm0 98.333H964h177.45zm66.55-295H964h244z\" cliprule=\"evenodd\"><\/path><path fill=\"#3C4556\" fillrule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M1138.66 70.148a2.244 2.244 0 104.49 0 2.246 2.246 0 10-4.49-.001zm-80.21 0c0 1.243 1.01 2.251 2.25 2.251s2.25-1.008 2.25-2.251c0-1.243-1.01-2.251-2.25-2.251s-2.25 1.008-2.25 2.25zm-81.707 0a2.25 2.25 0 104.5.004 2.25 2.25 0 00-4.5-.005zm81.707 98.299a2.252 2.252 0 002.25 2.251 2.252 2.252 0 000-4.503 2.253 2.253 0 00-2.25 2.252zm-81.707 0a2.25 2.25 0 104.498 0 2.25 2.25 0 00-2.249-2.252 2.25 2.25 0 00-2.249 2.252zm161.917-.001a2.244 2.244 0 104.49 0 2.246 2.246 0 10-4.49 0zm0 98.299a2.244 2.244 0 104.49 0 2.246 2.246 0 10-4.49 0zm-80.21 0c0 1.243 1.01 2.251 2.25 2.251s2.25-1.008 2.25-2.251c0-1.243-1.01-2.251-2.25-2.251s-2.25 1.008-2.25 2.251zm-81.707 0a2.25 2.25 0 104.5.002 2.25 2.25 0 00-4.5-.002zm81.707 98.299c0 1.243 1.01 2.251 2.25 2.251s2.25-1.008 2.25-2.251c0-1.243-1.01-2.251-2.25-2.251s-2.25 1.008-2.25 2.251zm-81.707 0a2.25 2.25 0 104.5.002 2.25 2.25 0 00-4.5-.002zm161.917 0a2.244 2.244 0 104.49 0 2.246 2.246 0 10-4.49 0z\" cliprule=\"evenodd\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><div class=\"bstn-blocks-container__wrapper bstn-blocks-container__wrapper--readable-width bstn-blocks-container__wrapper--negative-container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-2 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-bstn-blocks-heading bstn-blocks-heading bstn-blocks-heading--h2 has-text-align-left bstn-blocks-heading--divider\"><h2 class=\"bstn-blocks-heading__heading-element\">Learn Python Today<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Get hands-on experience writing code with interactive tutorials in our free online learning platform. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-kg-list-checklist-alternate\"><li>Free and fun<\/li><li>Designed for beginners<\/li><li>No downloads or setup required<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-bstn-button-primary\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link\" href=\"https:\/\/brainstation.io\/learn\/python\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Get Started<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video autoplay loop muted src=\"https:\/\/d3ghupt9z9s6o0.cloudfront.net\/app\/uploads\/2022\/04\/13110643\/Python-promo-clip.mp4\" playsinline><\/video><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Python is a programming language: a structured form of communication used by computers to handle information and complete tasks. Programming languages allow people to write a formal set of instructions that are used to communicate with a computer. They consist of rules on how to write those instructions for the computer (syntax) along with the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"parent":130131,"menu_order":0,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-129851","codex-reference","type-codex-reference","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/brainstation.io\/wp\/api\/wp\/v2\/codex-reference\/129851","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/brainstation.io\/wp\/api\/wp\/v2\/codex-reference"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/brainstation.io\/wp\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/codex-reference"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/brainstation.io\/wp\/api\/wp\/v2\/codex-reference\/129851\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":131639,"href":"https:\/\/brainstation.io\/wp\/api\/wp\/v2\/codex-reference\/129851\/revisions\/131639"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brainstation.io\/wp\/api\/wp\/v2\/codex-reference\/130131"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/brainstation.io\/wp\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=129851"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brainstation.io\/wp\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=129851"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brainstation.io\/wp\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=129851"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}