As every programming language evolves as new ideas and technologies emerge, Python has also emerged to solve problems that current technology at that time hasn’t solved.
Throughout the continuous effort of years by Python developers, Python language becomes more powerful and versatile. Let’s discuss the history of python and get the knowledge of how actually Python concept emerged.
Python is an interpreted, high-level, general-purpose programming language that consistently ranks as one of the most popular programming languages.
Python is very famous because of its simple programming syntax, code readability, and English-like commands that make coding easier and more efficient.
Guido van Rossum
Guido van Rossum born on 31 January 1956 is a Dutch programmer who developed and designed Python while working at National Research Institute.
Python History
Guido van Rossum formulated Python in the late 1980s as a successor to the ABC programming language, which was inspired by SETL at Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica(CWI). There he worked as a researcher in the field of mathematics and theoretical computer science.
SETL(SET Language) is a very high-level programming language based on the mathematical theory of sets. It was developed at New York University in 1969 and contains features like exception handling and interfacing with the Amoeba operating system.
Python implementation began in December 1989 when he was on a vacation and trying to occupy himself by doing projects. Then he decided to work on writing an interpreter for a new scripting language that could be the successor of the ABC language.
Finally, Guido first released Python in 1991 as Python 0.9.0. From that point, he continuously worked for the improvement of it and was the Benevolent Dictator for Life(BDFL) until he stepped down from the position in July 2018.
Why named Python?
Do you know why Guido named the programming language after one of the species of snakes? Isn’t it strange why he gave such a name?
In one of the interviews, he attributes choosing Python as a working title for the project. Being in a slightly irrelevant mood at doing projects and also a big fan of the show Monty Python’s Flying Circus at that time.
Python Versions
| Version | Released date |
|---|---|
| Python 1.0 contains features like functional programming, exception handling, map, reduce, and filter | 1994 |
| Python 2.0 includes features like list comprehension and a garbage collection system | 16 October 2000 |
| Python 3.0 most used python version after 2.0, supports 2to3 utility, is not completely backward-compatible, and the current stable version is 3.10.1 | 3 December 2008 |
