Python-features

April 16, 2020

Python- Facts

The above images are from the textbook and discussion today is based on them.
Feel free to download and save for reference

By the end of this session, you will be able to understand the important features of Python Programing Language.

Please ensure that you copy the content shared on the blog in your registers.

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Before we take up the key features of Python, lets first see why should we study Python!

(URL of the above video, incase you can't view: https://youtu.be/Y8Tko2YC5hA)

So, without much ado, lets embark on the journey to explore PYTHON...

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Let us take a review of the key features of Python discussed in the last class:

Simple-

Written in simple English statements.
Therefore, it is easy to understand the syntax( way of writing) and develop programs.

2. Easy to learn-

uses very few keywords (set of special words which have a specific meaning).
structure of program is very simple and easy to create.

At this point, it is imperative to highlight the following terms:

1. Source code is a program written in a programming language (or in assembly language).

2. Machine code is the directly executable binary representation of a computer program.The CPU can directly execute this code.

3. Byte code is artificial machine code for a virtual machine or VM, such as the Java VM or the Python VM( PVM). It is intermediate code between source code and machine code that is executed by a so called virtual machine. Source code is code written according to a programming language specification, could be compiled or interpreted, and can be executed.

4. Object code is the result of compilation of a module or program written in a programming language, stored for later use.

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Let us move ahead with the key features of Python, which is our discussion for today.
(All of you are expected to note the following in your registers:)

3. Platform Independent and portable-

Can run on any platform (Operating System/hardware)

Code created on Windows machine can run it on Mac or Linux ( other common Operating systems).
Bytocode is generated by Python compiler
Bytecode represents a fixed set of instructions that run on all Operating Systems and hardware using the PVM (Python Virtual Machine).

4. Open Source-

Python is available for free
Can be downloaded from www.python.org website.
Its source can be read and modified by the user ,that is how it gets the name "Open Source" (code).

5. Dynamically typed-

In Python, there is no need to declare anything.
An assignment statement ( eg a=b+c), binds the name of the object, which can be of any type.
It can be changed to a different type ,anytime.
There is no need to define the type(int or float) of the variable.

6. Huge Library-

It has large inbuilt library (collection)
It contains pre-built and portable functionality, known as standard library
It makes the program building process easy and fast, as pre-built modules are available which can be easily included by a programer in his program.

7. Procedure and Object Oriented-

Is Object oriented.- Object-oriented Programming(OOP) is a programming language that uses classes and objects to create models based on the real world environment. In OOPs it makes it easy to maintain and modify existing code as new objects are created inheriting characteristics from existing ones.
Is Procedure oriented- On other hand Procedural Oriented Programming is a programming language that follows a step-by-step approach to break down a task into a collection of variables and routines (or subroutines) through a sequence of instructions. Each step is carried out in order in a systematic manner so that a computer can understand what to do.
Python file extension is .py
Bytecode file extension is .pyc
Python is referred to as "interpreted language"-