Why should i learn Python?

[Gargen]

im just curious im currently learning all major programming languages that are usefull to me and i am wondering what is python useful for in a realistic sense

[vegaseat]

Which of the 250 major computer languages are you learning? I need some idea so I can compare.

[Gargen]

im learning the ones that i have found i will be able to use C/C++/C# php java perl css html xhtml xml BASIC those are the ones so far i have found that will be useful but i know python is up there with the really big ones so im just wondering what i could use it for. I am currently focus on C++ and html. C++ becasue im looking to make my own game and html because im taking a class next year on it and i figure my as well learn it a head of time

[vegaseat]

I use both C++ and Python and came up with this ...

My 13 point comparison of C++ and Python:
1. C++ and Python complement each other.
2. Maybe C++ is the piano and Python is the guitar.
3. C++ is a low level language and Python is a high level language (more modular).
4. You can write Python programs in just a few lines that would require pages in C++.
5. C++ requires type declarations and Python avoids type declarations.
6. Python containers are simpler and more flexible than C++ containers.
7. Python allows for easier experimentation/concept-development than C++.
8. C++ is compiled to an executable file and Python is compiled and then interpreted.
9. Python has an interactive page where you can quickly test ideas.
10. C++ is more difficult to master than Python. Python code is easier to read.
11. Both C++ and Python are object oriented.
12. Both C++ and Python work on multiple platforms (Windows, Unix, VMS etc).
13. C++ can be and Python is open source.

Edit: You may want to add ...
C++ is prone to memory leaks if you forget to free up used resources, Python has automatic memory management.

[shanenin]

Python is compiled and then interpreted

how is it compiled, I thought it is just interperted?

[vegaseat]

The Python text code file .py is compiled to a .pyc byte code file that speeds up the interpretation process. Most of the time this is transparent to you. There are ways to retain the .pyc file and use it for higher speed.

Python itself uses the compiled files to speed things up. Look in your \Lib folder, there are both .py and .pyc files. the compiled files are not readable with a text editor.

Edit: You made me think about it some more and it finally came back. For ordinary .py code files the bytecode image of the .pyc file is created in memory. That's why you don't find them on the disk. You can force the creation of a .pyc file on disk, if you import the file in another program. Just write a short test program with the line:

import myPyFile # converts myPyFile.py to myPyFile.pyc

You can distribute your .pyc file instead of the .py file, if you want to hide your source code a little.

[Gargen]

I use both C++ and Python and came up with this ...

My 13 point comparison of C++ and Python:
1. C++ and Python complement each other.
2. Maybe C++ is the piano and Python is the guitar.
3. C++ is a low level language and Python is a high level language (more modular).
4. You can write Python programs in just a few lines that would require pages in C++.
5. C++ requires type declarations and Python avoids type declarations.
6. Python containers are simpler and more flexible than C++ containers.
7. Python allows for easier experimentation/concept-development than C++.
8. C++ is compiled to an executable file and Python is compiled and then interpreted.
9. Python has an interactive page where you can quickly test ideas.
10. C++ is more difficult to master than Python. Python code is easier to read.
11. Both C++ and Python are object oriented.
12. Both C++ and Python work on multiple platforms (Windows, Unix, VMS etc).
13. C++ can be and Python is open source.

wow thx man python is on the list of things to do especaily if its easy to master

[shanenin]

Python is my first language I am learning, other then some bash scripting. I am really enjoying it.

I am a big open source(linux) guy, so i was attracted to python for that reason. I also like the fact I can write a program that will run on both linux and windows alike(there may be some porting issues, I am still learning)

[alc6379]

Python is my first language I am learning, other then some bash scripting. I am really enjoying it.

I am a big open source(linux) guy, so i was attracted to python for that reason. I also like the fact I can write a program that will run on both linux and windows alike(there may be some porting issues, I am still learning)

There shouldn't be too many porting issues-- Python was designed ground-up to work with any platform. Unless you start fooling around with GTK or Tk/Tcl, etc, then you'll be in good shape. Even with the previously mentioned setups, you can still make them work in Windows.

[Kschikan]

Not to mention that python is really easy to read. Although the lack of braces and forced indentation may seem weird to C/Java types (like I was before i ran into python) it makes it MUCH easier to tell what's going on in your code. Which is great when you have to come back to something you've done 6 months ago and wonder what the heck it was you wrote.

[danizzil14]

Well I've only ever learned two languages. HTML and Python. HTML and Python don't really compare because they do two totally different things. But I still give Python a big thumbs up it's easy to use and somewhat integratable. Just like HTML.

[jwenting]

Python looks like fun.
Got some books on it and can read it pretty well, didn't spend much time on it so far (too busy with Java).

[Stefano Mtangoo]

Every day i learn py, I see it doing many things and from what I can see, it can do anything. Anyway i plan to do my massive code for my project sometime this year! For now there are some things I must learn!!

Happy Py Programming!

[sahildevit]

Thanks Buddy !! Much Appreciated !!

Thanks.

[Orion2k]

c++ rules.