Lines Matching +full:python +full:- +full:version
4 General Python FAQ
15 What is Python?
16 ---------------
18 Python is an interpreted, interactive, object-oriented programming language. It
21 object-oriented programming, such as procedural and functional programming.
22 Python combines remarkable power with very clear syntax. It has interfaces to
25 applications that need a programmable interface. Finally, Python is portable:
28 To find out more, start with :ref:`tutorial-index`. The `Beginner's Guide to
29 Python <https://wiki.python.org/moin/BeginnersGuide>`_ links to other
30 introductory tutorials and resources for learning Python.
33 What is the Python Software Foundation?
34 ---------------------------------------
36 The Python Software Foundation is an independent non-profit organization that
37 holds the copyright on Python versions 2.1 and newer. The PSF's mission is to
38 advance open source technology related to the Python programming language and to
39 publicize the use of Python. The PSF's home page is at
40 https://www.python.org/psf/.
42 Donations to the PSF are tax-exempt in the US. If you use Python and find it
44 <https://www.python.org/psf/donations/>`_.
47 Are there copyright restrictions on the use of Python?
48 ------------------------------------------------------
51 copyrights in and display those copyrights in any documentation about Python
52 that you produce. If you honor the copyright rules, it's OK to use Python for
53 commercial use, to sell copies of Python in source or binary form (modified or
54 unmodified), or to sell products that incorporate Python in some form. We would
55 still like to know about all commercial use of Python, of course.
57 See `the license page <https://docs.python.org/3/license.html>`_ to find further
60 The Python logo is trademarked, and in certain cases permission is required to
62 <https://www.python.org/psf/trademarks/>`__ for more information.
65 Why was Python created in the first place?
66 ------------------------------------------
73 language design. This is the origin of many Python features, including the
75 very-high-level data types (although the details are all different in
76 Python).
80 implementation) to remedy my complaints -- in fact its lack of extensibility
81 was one of its biggest problems. I had some experience with using Modula-2+
82 and talked with the designers of Modula-3 and read the Modula-3 report.
83 Modula-3 is the origin of the syntax and semantics used for exceptions, and
84 some other Python features.
95 would be foolish to write an Amoeba-specific language, so I decided that I
100 on it in my own time, Python was used in the Amoeba project with increasing
108 What is Python good for?
109 ------------------------
111 Python is a high-level general-purpose programming language that can be applied
116 files), internet protocols (HTTP, FTP, SMTP, XML-RPC, POP, IMAP),
118 Python code), and operating system interfaces (system calls, filesystems, TCP/IP
119 sockets). Look at the table of contents for :ref:`library-index` to get an idea
120 of what's available. A wide variety of third-party extensions are also
121 available. Consult `the Python Package Index <https://pypi.org>`_ to
125 How does the Python version numbering scheme work?
126 --------------------------------------------------
128 Python versions are numbered "A.B.C" or "A.B":
130 * *A* is the major version number -- it is only incremented for really major
132 * *B* is the minor version number -- it is incremented for less earth-shattering
134 * *C* is the micro version number -- it is incremented for each bugfix release.
138 Not all releases are bugfix releases. In the run-up to a new major release, a
148 * The suffix for an alpha version is "aN" for some small number *N*.
149 * The suffix for a beta version is "bN" for some small number *N*.
150 * The suffix for a release candidate version is "rcN" for some small number *N*.
155 You may also find version numbers with a "+" suffix, e.g. "2.2+". These are
157 practice, after a final minor release is made, the version is incremented to the
158 next minor version, which becomes the "a0" version, e.g. "2.4a0".
160 See also the documentation for :data:`sys.version`, :data:`sys.hexversion`, and
164 How do I obtain a copy of the Python source?
165 --------------------------------------------
167 The latest Python source distribution is always available from python.org, at
168 https://www.python.org/downloads/. The latest development sources can be obtained
169 at https://github.com/python/cpython/.
172 Sphinx-formatted documentation, Python library modules, example programs, and
176 Consult the `Getting Started section of the Python Developer's Guide
177 <https://devguide.python.org/setup/>`__ for more
181 How do I get documentation on Python?
182 -------------------------------------
186 The standard documentation for the current stable version of Python is available
187 at https://docs.python.org/3/. PDF, plain text, and downloadable HTML versions are
188 also available at https://docs.python.org/3/download.html.
191 documentation tool <https://www.sphinx-doc.org/>`__. The reStructuredText source for
192 the documentation is part of the Python source distribution.
195 I've never programmed before. Is there a Python tutorial?
196 ---------------------------------------------------------
199 includes :ref:`tutorial-index`.
201 Consult `the Beginner's Guide <https://wiki.python.org/moin/BeginnersGuide>`_ to
202 find information for beginning Python programmers, including lists of tutorials.
205 Is there a newsgroup or mailing list devoted to Python?
206 -------------------------------------------------------
208 There is a newsgroup, :newsgroup:`comp.lang.python`, and a mailing list,
209 `python-list <https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list>`_. The
210 newsgroup and mailing list are gatewayed into each other -- if you can read news
212 :newsgroup:`comp.lang.python` is high-traffic, receiving hundreds of postings
216 comp.lang.python.announce, a low-traffic moderated list that receives about five
217 postings per day. It's available as `the python-announce mailing list
218 <https://mail.python.org/mailman3/lists/python-announce-list.python.org/>`_.
221 can be found at https://www.python.org/community/lists/.
224 How do I get a beta test version of Python?
225 -------------------------------------------
227 Alpha and beta releases are available from https://www.python.org/downloads/. All
228 releases are announced on the comp.lang.python and comp.lang.python.announce
229 newsgroups and on the Python home page at https://www.python.org/; an RSS feed of
232 You can also access the development version of Python through Git. See
233 `The Python Developer's Guide <https://devguide.python.org/>`_ for details.
236 How do I submit bug reports and patches for Python?
237 ---------------------------------------------------
240 https://github.com/python/cpython/issues.
242 For more information on how Python is developed, consult `the Python Developer's
243 Guide <https://devguide.python.org/>`_.
246 Are there any published articles about Python that I can reference?
247 -------------------------------------------------------------------
249 It's probably best to cite your favorite book about Python.
251 The `very first article <https://ir.cwi.nl/pub/18204>`_ about Python was
255 Using the Python Programming Language", CWI Quarterly, Volume 4, Issue 4
256 (December 1991), Amsterdam, pp 283--303.
259 Are there any books on Python?
260 ------------------------------
262 Yes, there are many, and more are being published. See the python.org wiki at
263 https://wiki.python.org/moin/PythonBooks for a list.
265 You can also search online bookstores for "Python" and filter out the Monty
266 Python references; or perhaps search for "Python" and "language".
269 Where in the world is www.python.org located?
270 ---------------------------------------------
272 The Python project's infrastructure is located all over the world and is managed
273 by the Python Infrastructure Team. Details `here <https://infra.psf.io>`__.
276 Why is it called Python?
277 ------------------------
279 When he began implementing Python, Guido van Rossum was also reading the
280 published scripts from `"Monty Python's Flying Circus"
283 decided to call the language Python.
286 Do I have to like "Monty Python's Flying Circus"?
287 -------------------------------------------------
292 Python in the real world
295 How stable is Python?
296 ---------------------
299 months since 1991, and this seems likely to continue. As of version 3.9,
300 Python will have a major new release every 12 months (:pep:`602`).
304 component of the version number (e.g. 3.5.3, 3.6.2), are managed for stability;
309 The latest stable releases can always be found on the `Python download page
310 <https://www.python.org/downloads/>`_. There are two production-ready versions
311 of Python: 2.x and 3.x. The recommended version is 3.x, which is supported by
313 maintained anymore <https://peps.python.org/pep-0373/>`_.
315 How many people are using Python?
316 ---------------------------------
321 Python is available for free download, so there are no sales figures, and it's
325 The comp.lang.python newsgroup is very active, but not all Python users post to
329 Have any significant projects been done in Python?
330 --------------------------------------------------
332 See https://www.python.org/about/success for a list of projects that use Python.
333 Consulting the proceedings for `past Python conferences
334 <https://www.python.org/community/workshops/>`_ will reveal contributions from many
337 High-profile Python projects include `the Mailman mailing list manager
341 system administration software in Python. Companies that use Python internally
345 What new developments are expected for Python in the future?
346 ------------------------------------------------------------
348 See https://peps.python.org/ for the Python Enhancement Proposals
349 (PEPs). PEPs are design documents describing a suggested new feature for Python,
351 titled "Python X.Y Release Schedule", where X.Y is a version that hasn't been
354 New development is discussed on `the python-dev mailing list
355 <https://mail.python.org/mailman3/lists/python-dev.python.org/>`_.
358 Is it reasonable to propose incompatible changes to Python?
359 -----------------------------------------------------------
361 In general, no. There are already millions of lines of Python code around the
365 many books have been written about Python, and we don't want to invalidate them
369 :pep:`5` describes the procedure followed for introducing backward-incompatible
373 Is Python a good language for beginning programmers?
374 ----------------------------------------------------
380 served by learning Python as their first language. Python has a very simple and
382 Python in a beginning programming course lets students concentrate on important
384 Python, students can be quickly introduced to basic concepts such as loops and
385 procedures. They can probably even work with user-defined objects in their very
396 Many other aspects of Python make it a good first language. Like Java, Python
399 restricted to the standard four-function calculator and check balancing
402 Using the standard library also teaches students about code reuse. Third-party
405 Python's interactive interpreter enables students to test language features
425 Help on built-in function append:
428 L.append(object) -> None -- append object to end
437 There are also good IDEs for Python. IDLE is a cross-platform IDE for Python
438 that is written in Python using Tkinter.
439 Emacs users will be happy to know that there is a very good Python mode for
441 auto-indenting, and access to the interactive interpreter while coding. Consult
442 `the Python wiki <https://wiki.python.org/moin/PythonEditors>`_ for a full list
443 of Python editing environments.
445 If you want to discuss Python's use in education, you may be interested in
446 joining `the edu-sig mailing list
447 <https://www.python.org/community/sigs/current/edu-sig>`_.