Python (programming language)

Python is a high-level, general-purpose programming language that makes writing code easy and fun. It focuses on code readability and simplicity by using clear naming and indentation, like writing in plain English. Python comes with a large standard library and has automatic memory management, which helps programmers manage their code more efficiently.

Guido van Rossum started working on Python in the late 1980s as a successor to the ABC programming language. Python 3.0, released in 2008, was a major update that wasn’t fully compatible with older versions. Since Python 3.5, the language has added features for optional static typing. As of 2026, the Python Software Foundation supports several versions of Python, with new updates released every year. Python 3.15 is currently being developed and will be released in October 2026.

Python has become very popular in the machine learning community and is widely used to teach new programmers. Since 2003, Python has always been among the top ten most popular programming languages, according to the TIOBE Programming Community Index.

History

Main article: History of Python

Python started in the late 1980s when Guido van Rossum worked at Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica in the Netherlands. He created it as an update to the ABC programming language. The first version, Python 0.9.0, was released in 1991.

The name Python comes from the British comedy series called Monty Python's Flying Circus.

Python went through many changes over the years. Python 2.0 came out in 2000 with new features, and Python 3.0 was released in 2008. As of January 2026, Python 3.14.5 is the latest version.

Design philosophy and features

Python is a language that can work in many different ways. It supports common styles of programming, like organizing code into objects, and also allows other styles such as working with functions and rules. Python is often called a “glue language” because it helps connect pieces of code written in other languages.

Python’s design focuses on making code easy to read and simple. It tries to have one clear way to do things, though sometimes there are multiple options. Python’s creators choose readability over speed, meaning they prefer code that is easy to understand even if it is not the fastest. People can make Python run faster by writing important parts in other languages or using special tools, but the main goal is always to keep the code clear and fun to use. The name Python comes from the comedy group Monty Python, and the language often uses playful examples in its lessons.

Syntax and semantics

Main article: Python syntax and semantics

Python is designed to be easy to read. It uses simple words instead of symbols and avoids complicated punctuation. Unlike some languages, Python doesn’t use curly brackets to show groups of code. This makes the code look neat and clear.

Python uses spaces to show where groups of code begin and end. This means the way the code looks on the page matches how it works. For example, after a certain word, you add spaces to start a new group, and when you stop adding spaces, that group ends. This helps make Python code easy to understand.

Python has special words for doing things like checking conditions, repeating actions, and handling mistakes. For example, you can use if to check a condition, for to repeat something a certain number of times, and try to try something while handling any mistakes that might happen. These tools help programmers write clear and useful code.

Development environments

See also: Comparison of integrated development environments § Python

Python comes with tools that help you write and test your code. One of these tools is called a REPL, which lets you type code and see the results right away. Python also includes a simple tool called IDLE that is easy for beginners to use.

There are many other tools to help with writing Python code. Some of these tools work on your computer, like PyCharm, Spyder, and Visual Studio Code. Others work in a web browser, like Jupyter Notebooks and PythonAnywhere. These tools can make writing code easier and more fun.

Implementations

See also: List of Python software § Python implementations

Reference implementation

CPython is the main version of Python that most people use. It is written in the C language and follows the C11 standard since version 3.11. Older versions used the C89 standard. CPython changes Python code into a special form called bytecode, which a virtual machine runs. It comes with many built-in tools written in C and Python.

CPython works on many operating systems, like Windows and most Unix-like systems, including macOS. Starting with Python 3.9, it will not install on older versions of Windows like Windows 7 and 8. Support for Windows XP ended with Python 3.5. Python was designed to work across different platforms from the beginning.

Other implementations

There are other versions of Python that work a little differently. For example, some can make Python run faster or work better on small computers. These versions often change small parts of how Python normally works.

• PyPy is a faster version of Python for versions 2.7 and 3.11. It can make programs run quicker but does not work with all Python tools.
• Codon compiles Python to machine code, making it run much faster—sometimes ten to one hundred times quicker than normal Python.
• MicroPython and CircuitPython are made to run Python on small devices, like LEGO Mindstorms EV3 robots.
• Pyston uses special techniques to speed up Python programs.
• Cinder is a version of Python designed for speed with various improvements.
• Snek is a Python-like language for small computers, but it is not fully compatible with Python.
• RustPython is written in the Rust language and aims to work like CPython.

Unsupported implementations

Some older or special versions of Python are no longer supported:

• Stackless Python changes how Python handles many small tasks at once.
• Google worked on Unladen Swallow, aiming to make Python five times faster, but this project is no longer active.
• Psyco was a tool to make Python run faster but only worked with older versions of Python.
• PyS60 was a version of Python for old Nokia mobile phones.

Transpilers to other languages

Some tools can change Python code into other programming languages:

• Brython and Transcrypt change Python into JavaScript.
• Cython changes Python into C code.
• Nuitka changes Python into C code for better performance.
• Numba can make parts of Python code run faster.
• Pythran changes Python into C++ code.
• RPython is used to build the PyPy interpreter.

Performance

There are ways to make Python programs run faster:

• Using tools that change Python code while it runs to make it quicker.
• Compiling Python code into machine code before running it.
• Running many tasks at the same time.
• Using special data types for certain jobs.
• Using powerful libraries like NumPy, which use faster languages under the hood.

Language development

Python's development uses a process called Python Enhancement Proposal (PEP) to suggest new features and make decisions. The community and a steering council review these proposals.

There are three types of Python releases:

• Versions that change the first number, which might break old code. These happen rarely.
• Updates that add new features but keep old code working. These happen about once a year.
• Small updates that fix problems without adding new features. These happen every few months.

Before each final release, there are preview versions for testing. Python's developers carefully check the code with many tests. The main conference for Python is called PyCon, and there are special programs to help new Python users, like PyLadies.

Naming

Python's name comes from a British comedy group called Monty Python. The creator of Python, Guido van Rossum, liked this group while he was making the language. Because of this, you will often see jokes and references to Monty Python in Python code and documents. For example, special words used in examples are sometimes spam and eggs instead of the usual foo and bar. People who use Python are sometimes called "Pythonistas".

Languages influenced by Python

Many programming languages have been inspired by Python. For example, Cobra lists Python as a key influence. ECMAScript and JavaScript took ideas like iterators and generators from Python. Go aims to work as quickly as a dynamic language like Python. Julia was created to be as easy to use for general tasks as Python. Mojo builds directly on Python, while GDScript is also heavily inspired by it. Other languages such as Groovy, Boo, CoffeeScript, F#, Nim, Ruby, Swift, and V have also been influenced by Python.