Python
History of Python
Python’s development began in the late 1980s when its creator, Guido van Rossum, sought to build upon the ABC programming language. It was officially released in 1991. Over the years, Python has maintained its status as one of the most widely used programming languages. The inspiration for its name stems from Guido van Rossum’s appreciation for the British comedy troupe Monty Python, whom Python creator Guido van Rossum enjoyed while developing the language.
In Monty Python’s “Spam” sketch, the menu prominently features spam in nearly every dish, which greatly frustrates a customer. It is from this sketch, which originally aired in 1970, that the term “spam” later came to be associated with unsolicited bulk email.
Since then the term “spam” has gained a new meaning and found its way into the dictionary.
The Zen of Python
(Image source – wikipedia.org) The Zen of Python comprises a set of 19 fundamental principles that greatly impact the design of the Python programming language. Tim Peters, a software engineer, created and shared these guiding principles on the Python mailing list in 1999. Notably, Peters intentionally left the list with an empty space for a 20th principle, indicating that it was intended for Guido van Rossum, the original creator of Python, to fill in. However, to date, the vacancy for a 20th principle has not been filled.
Peters’s Zen (principles) of Python can be displayed by entering import this in python software, try this.
- Beautiful is better than ugly.
- Explicit is better than implicit.
- Simple is better than complex.
- Complex is better than complicated.
- Flat is better than nested.
- Sparse is better than dense.
- Readability counts.
- Special cases aren’t special enough to break the rules.
- Although practicality beats purity.
- Errors should never pass silently.
- Unless explicitly silenced.
- In the face of ambiguity, refuse the temptation to guess.
- There should be one– and preferably only one –obvious way to do it.
- Although that way may not be obvious at first unless you’re Dutch.
- Now is better than never.
- Although never is often better than right now.
- If the implementation is hard to explain, it’s a bad idea.
- If the implementation is easy to explain, it may be a good idea.
- Namespaces are one honking great idea – let’s do more of those!
The profound impact of the Zen of Python is evident in the incredible success of the Python programming language, which has emerged as one of the most powerful languages in the world. The Zen of Python serves as a testament to the effectiveness of this approach, highlighting the potential for achieving remarkable outcomes through the application of straightforward principles.
In conclusion
Finally, upon exploring the fascinating history of Python, one can appreciate the deep connection between developers and the realms of art and literature. This connection is evident in how the term “Python” has acquired new meanings within the dictionary, thanks to the creativity of these developers. Similarly, the influence of a historical comedy show has introduced the term “spam” into the dictionary, showcasing how language constantly evolves and embraces new words inspired by diverse sources. It is a testament to the dynamic nature of language and the innovative spirit of those who shape it.
Should you have found this blog post intriguing and wish to express your thoughts and provide feedback, please feel free to contact me at [email protected]. Your input is greatly appreciated, and I encourage you to reach out and share your thoughts on the subject matter.
More related topics
