The Evolution of Python Language Over the Years

Python is one of the most popular coding languages in 2015, according to numerous websites. Python is object-oriented and open source, in addition to being a high-level and general-purpose programming language. Simultaneously, a large number of developers all over the world have been using Python to construct GUI programmed, websites, and mobile apps. Python's unique selling point is that it allows programmers to flesh out notions by creating less and more understandable code. Developers can also use various Python frameworks to reduce the time and effort required to build large and sophisticated software applications.

A number of high-traffic websites, including Google, Yahoo Groups, Yahoo Maps, Linux Weekly News, Shopville, and Web Therapy, are now using the programming language. Python is also useful for developing gaming, financial, scientific, and educational applications. However, developers continue to use various versions of the programming language. According to W3techs' Python usage statistics and market share data, Python 2 is now utilized by 99.4 percent of websites, while Python 3 is used by only 0.6 percent of websites. As a result, it is critical for each coder to grasp different versions of Python as well as its progress through time.

How Has Python Changed Over the Years?

Originally conceived as a hobby programming project

Despite becoming one of the most popular coding languages in 2015, Python was created as a hobby project in December 1989 by Guido van Rossum. Van Rossum was seeking for a hobby project to keep him engaged during the holidays because his office was closed during the holidays. He intended to develop an interpreter for a new programming language, naming the project Python. Python was created as a replacement for the ABC programming language. Van Rossum made the code public in February 1991, after finishing the interpreter. However, the Python Software Foundation currently manages the open source programming language.

Python Version 1

In January 1994, Python 1.0 was released. A variety of new features and functional programming tools, such as lambda, filter, map, and reduce, were incorporated in the main release. The release of version 1.4 included various new features such as keyword arguments, built-in support for complex integers, and a basic form of data concealing. Following the major release, two minor versions were made: version 1.5 in December 1997 and version 1.6 in September 2000. Python version 1 lacked capabilities supplied by popular programming languages at the time. However, the earliest versions laid the groundwork for the development of a strong and futuristic programming language.

Python version 2

Python 2.0 was introduced in October 2000, including a new list comprehension functionality and a garbage collection system. Other functional programming languages, like as Haskell, inspired the syntax for the list comprehension capability. However, unlike Haskell, Python 2.0 prioritised alphabetic keywords above punctuation letters. In addition, the garbage collection system collected reference cycles. Several smaller releases followed the major release. These updates provided new features to the programming language, such as support for nested scopes and the unification of Python's classes in Delhi and types into a single hierarchy. The Python Software Foundation has previously said that Python 2.8 will not be released. However, the Foundation will continue to support the programming language's version 2.7 until 2020.

Python version 3

In December 2008, Python 3.0 was released. It included various new features and enhancements, as well as a handful of deprecated functionality. Python 3 differs significantly from previous versions due to deprecated features and backward incompatibility. Many developers continue to use Python 2.6 or 2.7 to use deprecated features from the previous major release. However, Python 3's new features made it more modern and popular. Many developers even upgraded to version 3.0 of the programming language to take use of these fantastic capabilities.

Python 3.0 replaced the print statement with the built-in print() function, while allowing programmers to define their own line separators. Similarly, it simplified the ordering comparison rules. The ordering comparison operators can now throw a Type Error if the operands are not organized in a natural and meaningful order. The programming language's version 3 employs text and data instead of Unicode and 8-bit strings. While all code is treated as Unicode by default, binary data is represented as encoded Unicode.

Because Python 3 is incompatible with previous versions, programmers cannot use features such as string exceptions, old-style classes, and implicit relative imports. Additionally, developers must be familiar with changes to syntax and APIs. They can utilise the "2to3" tool to effortlessly transition their application from Python 2 to 3. Through comments and alerts, the tool exposes incompatibility and areas of concern. The comments assist programmers in making modifications to the code and upgrading existing applications to the most recent version of the programming language.

Python's most recent releases

Python 3.4.3 or 2.7.10 are now available to programmers. Python 2.7 provides developers with enhanced numeric handling as well as changes to the standard library. The new release makes it even easier for developers to transition to Python 3. Python 3.4, on the other hand, includes various new features and library modules, as well as security and CPython implementation improvements. However, a number of features in both the Python API and the programming language have been deprecated. In the long run, developers can still utilise Python 3.4 to get support.

Python Technology Used for Application Oriented Fields

Python version 4

Python 4.0 is expected to be released in 2023, following the release of Python 3.9. It will have capabilities that will allow programmers to effortlessly transition from version 3 to version 4. Furthermore, as they acquire experience, professional Python developers can use a variety of backward compatible capabilities to upgrade their existing programmes without putting in any additional time or effort. However, developers will have to wait many years before they can acquire a full image of Python 4.0. They must, however, keep up with the current updates in order to seamlessly convert to the popular coding language's version 4.0.

Python versions 2 and 3 are completely different from one another. As a result, each programmer must comprehend the features of these many versions and compare their functionality based on the project's individual requirements. He should also check the Python version that each framework supports. However, in order to take advantage of new features and long-term support, each developer must use the most recent version of Python.