Skip to content

Summary

Summary

This chapter was an introduction to Python, why Python is useful, and an introduction to Anaconda.

In the first section you learned that Python is a powerful and flexible programming language. Compared to other programming languages Python is relatively easy to learn and use. Python is also free and open-source.

In the second part of the chapter, you learned that Python is a "batteries included" programming language. There are many useful modules in the Python standard library that comes with every installation of the Python. Some Standard Library modules you will see later in this text include the math and statistics modules. There are also over 100,000 external Python modules available for you to install. Two external modules you will see later in this text are NumPy and Matplotlib.

In the last part of the chapter, you learned about the Anaconda distribution of Python. Anaconda is a distribution of Python which comes with about 600 packages pre-installed. The pre-installed modules that come with Anaconda include NumPy, Pandas, Matplotlib and Jupyter notebooks. Jupyter notebooks will be discussed in a later chapter. This text recommends problem solvers install the Anaconda distribution of Python.

The next chapter will detail how to install Python on your computer.

Key Terms and Concepts

Python

Python Interpreter

Python REPL

Anaconda

Anaconda Prompt

runtime

package

installation

programming language

open source

Python distribution

Additional Resources

What is Python? Executive Summary on Python.org:

https://www.python.org/doc/essays/blurb/

Comparing Python to Other Languages on Python.org:

https://www.python.org/doc/essays/comparisons/

History and License. A history of the software licenses that cover the Python programming language

https://docs.python.org/3/license.html

Think Python an introduction to Python programming for beginners by Allen Downey:

https://greenteapress.com/wp/think-python/