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 .. _faq-version-numbering-scheme:
127 How does the Python version numbering scheme work?
128 --------------------------------------------------
130 Python versions are numbered "A.B.C" or "A.B":
132 * *A* is the major version number -- it is only incremented for really major
134 * *B* is the minor version number -- it is incremented for less earth-shattering
136 * *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 feature 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".
161 <https://devguide.python.org/developer-workflow/development-cycle/>`__
163 :pep:`387` to learn more about Python's backward compatibility policy. See also
164 the documentation for :data:`sys.version`, :data:`sys.hexversion`, and
168 How do I obtain a copy of the Python source?
169 --------------------------------------------
171 The latest Python source distribution is always available from python.org, at
172 https://www.python.org/downloads/. The latest development sources can be obtained
173 at https://github.com/python/cpython/.
176 Sphinx-formatted documentation, Python library modules, example programs, and
180 Consult the `Getting Started section of the Python Developer's Guide
181 <https://devguide.python.org/setup/>`__ for more
185 How do I get documentation on Python?
186 -------------------------------------
188 The standard documentation for the current stable version of Python is available
189 at https://docs.python.org/3/. PDF, plain text, and downloadable HTML versions are
190 also available at https://docs.python.org/3/download.html.
193 documentation tool <https://www.sphinx-doc.org/>`__. The reStructuredText source for
194 the documentation is part of the Python source distribution.
197 I've never programmed before. Is there a Python tutorial?
198 ---------------------------------------------------------
201 includes :ref:`tutorial-index`.
203 Consult `the Beginner's Guide <https://wiki.python.org/moin/BeginnersGuide>`_ to
204 find information for beginning Python programmers, including lists of tutorials.
207 Is there a newsgroup or mailing list devoted to Python?
208 -------------------------------------------------------
210 There is a newsgroup, :newsgroup:`comp.lang.python`, and a mailing list,
211 `python-list <https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list>`_. The
212 newsgroup and mailing list are gatewayed into each other -- if you can read news
214 :newsgroup:`comp.lang.python` is high-traffic, receiving hundreds of postings
218 comp.lang.python.announce, a low-traffic moderated list that receives about five
219 postings per day. It's available as `the python-announce mailing list
220 <https://mail.python.org/mailman3/lists/python-announce-list.python.org/>`_.
223 can be found at https://www.python.org/community/lists/.
226 How do I get a beta test version of Python?
227 -------------------------------------------
229 Alpha and beta releases are available from https://www.python.org/downloads/. All
230 releases are announced on the comp.lang.python and comp.lang.python.announce
231 newsgroups and on the Python home page at https://www.python.org/; an RSS feed of
234 You can also access the development version of Python through Git. See
235 `The Python Developer's Guide <https://devguide.python.org/>`_ for details.
238 How do I submit bug reports and patches for Python?
239 ---------------------------------------------------
242 https://github.com/python/cpython/issues.
244 For more information on how Python is developed, consult `the Python Developer's
245 Guide <https://devguide.python.org/>`_.
248 Are there any published articles about Python that I can reference?
249 -------------------------------------------------------------------
251 It's probably best to cite your favorite book about Python.
253 The `very first article <https://ir.cwi.nl/pub/18204>`_ about Python was
257 Using the Python Programming Language", CWI Quarterly, Volume 4, Issue 4
258 (December 1991), Amsterdam, pp 283--303.
261 Are there any books on Python?
262 ------------------------------
264 Yes, there are many, and more are being published. See the python.org wiki at
265 https://wiki.python.org/moin/PythonBooks for a list.
267 You can also search online bookstores for "Python" and filter out the Monty
268 Python references; or perhaps search for "Python" and "language".
271 Where in the world is www.python.org located?
272 ---------------------------------------------
274 The Python project's infrastructure is located all over the world and is managed
275 by the Python Infrastructure Team. Details `here <https://infra.psf.io>`__.
278 Why is it called Python?
279 ------------------------
281 When he began implementing Python, Guido van Rossum was also reading the
282 published scripts from `"Monty Python's Flying Circus"
285 decided to call the language Python.
288 Do I have to like "Monty Python's Flying Circus"?
289 -------------------------------------------------
294 Python in the real world
297 How stable is Python?
298 ---------------------
301 months since 1991, and this seems likely to continue. As of version 3.9,
302 Python will have a new feature release every 12 months (:pep:`602`).
306 component of the version number (e.g. 3.5.3, 3.6.2), are managed for stability;
311 The latest stable releases can always be found on the `Python download page
312 <https://www.python.org/downloads/>`_.
313 Python 3.x is the recommended version and supported by most widely used libraries.
314 Python 2.x :pep:`is not maintained anymore <373>`.
317 How many people are using Python?
318 ---------------------------------
323 Python is available for free download, so there are no sales figures, and it's
327 The comp.lang.python newsgroup is very active, but not all Python users post to
331 Have any significant projects been done in Python?
332 --------------------------------------------------
334 See https://www.python.org/about/success for a list of projects that use Python.
335 Consulting the proceedings for `past Python conferences
336 <https://www.python.org/community/workshops/>`_ will reveal contributions from many
339 High-profile Python projects include `the Mailman mailing list manager
343 system administration software in Python. Companies that use Python internally
347 What new developments are expected for Python in the future?
348 ------------------------------------------------------------
350 See https://peps.python.org/ for the Python Enhancement Proposals
351 (PEPs). PEPs are design documents describing a suggested new feature for Python,
353 titled "Python X.Y Release Schedule", where X.Y is a version that hasn't been
356 New development is discussed on `the python-dev mailing list
357 <https://mail.python.org/mailman3/lists/python-dev.python.org/>`_.
360 Is it reasonable to propose incompatible changes to Python?
361 -----------------------------------------------------------
363 In general, no. There are already millions of lines of Python code around the
367 many books have been written about Python, and we don't want to invalidate them
371 :pep:`5` describes the procedure followed for introducing backward-incompatible
375 Is Python a good language for beginning programmers?
376 ----------------------------------------------------
382 served by learning Python as their first language. Python has a very simple and
384 Python in a beginning programming course lets students concentrate on important
386 Python, students can be quickly introduced to basic concepts such as loops and
387 procedures. They can probably even work with user-defined objects in their very
398 Many other aspects of Python make it a good first language. Like Java, Python
401 restricted to the standard four-function calculator and check balancing
404 Using the standard library also teaches students about code reuse. Third-party
407 Python's interactive interpreter enables students to test language features
427 Help on built-in function append:
430 L.append(object) -> None -- append object to end
439 There are also good IDEs for Python. IDLE is a cross-platform IDE for Python
440 that is written in Python using Tkinter.
441 Emacs users will be happy to know that there is a very good Python mode for
443 auto-indenting, and access to the interactive interpreter while coding. Consult
444 `the Python wiki <https://wiki.python.org/moin/PythonEditors>`_ for a full list
445 of Python editing environments.
447 If you want to discuss Python's use in education, you may be interested in
448 joining `the edu-sig mailing list
449 <https://www.python.org/community/sigs/current/edu-sig>`_.