The Quick Python Book, Third Edition

Chapter 1. About Python

This chapter covers

• Why use Python?
• What Python does well
• What Python doesn’t do as well
• Why learn Python 3?

Read this chapter if you want to know how Python compares to other languages and its place in the grand scheme of things. Skip ahead—go straight to chapter 3—if you want to start learning Python right away. The information in this chapter is a valid part of this book—but it’s certainly not necessary for programming with Python.

1.1. Why should I use Python?

Hundreds of programming languages are available today, from mature languages like C and C++, to newer entries like Ruby, C#, and Lua, to enterprise juggernauts like Java. Choosing a language to learn is difficult. Although no one language is the right choice ...