10 Interesting Python Programming Language Facts for Kids
Python is one of the most commonly used programming languages in the world, thanks to its efficiency and ease of use. In this article, we’re going to walk you through a list of interesting facts about this fascinating language and how it has become what it is today. From the person that invented it to the European language that it is more popular than, this article has everything.
Let’s dive right in!
Who invented Python?
This programming language first came about in the late 1980s. A man named Guido van Rossum was working at the Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica. He wanted to develop a language that succeeded the ABC programming language, and began implementing Python at the tail end of the 80s, in 1989.
Guido van Rossum was the lead developer of this language for several decades, working on it until 2018, before he retired from the project.
How was Python developed?
Originally, Python was developed because Guido van Rossum wanted to start a project to fill some of his free time! However, the project eventually started to go in a new direction because it succeeded the ABC programming language. van Rossum took certain features from the ABC language, as well as some of its syntax and created an entirely new language.
He did this by fixing various flaws that ABC had and worked on them by removing and fixing them completely. As time went on, several other versions of the language were released over the years, each with its own unique set of features.
Interesting Facts about Python
1. The name “Python” comes from a TV show!
If you thought that this language was named after the reptile, you’re mistaken! Python’s name came from the popular BBC show, Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Guido van Rossum was a huge fan of the show, and wanted to give his programming language a unique and interesting name, which is where Python came from.
2. Many famous companies use Python.
Several famous companies like IBM, NASA, Quora, Reddit, Shutterstock, Netflix, and Spotify are avid Python users.
3. Python is more popular than French.
This particular fact might come as a surprise to some of you, but it’s true! Ever since 2015, around 60% of parents prefer that their children learn this programming language instead of French. Research has also shown that around 75% of children would prefer to learn a computer language, as opposed to a European one. This is because many kids would rather learn to control and program a robot by themselves.
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4. Unlike C++ and Java, Python doesn’t require users to use a compiler.
Languages like C++ and Java need to be compiled before they can be interpreted, but Python doesn’t need to! This is because it relies on an application interpreter.
5. Google uses Python as one of its official programming languages.
Given that Google is one of the most popular search engines in the entire world, it’s amazing that a language such as Python is one of its official programming languages. Since Python is so efficient to use, it is used by Google for various projects, even bigger ones. Additionally, the platform YouTube uses Python as well.
6. Python is easy to learn.
Even if you’re completely unfamiliar with programming languages, but want to get into coding, Python is a great place to start. This is because Python is one of the easiest programming languages to learn to study, thanks to the fact that it is very similar to English. It is easy to interpret lines of code because of its simplicity and versatility.
7. Python is a multipurpose language.
Aside from pure coding, Python can be used in a variety of coding scenarios, such to develop artificial intelligence, in web development, machine learning, and even data analytics.
8. Python is an open source language.
Even though Python is one of the most popular and widely used programming languages in the world, it does not have a proprietary license. This means that Python users all over the world can contribute to the development and ecosystem of this language.
FAQs
Who created Python programming language?
Python was created by Guido van Rossum, who started developing it in 1989. He remained the lead developer until 2018 when he retired from the project.
Why is Python named after Monty Python’s Flying Circus?
Python is named after the British TV show “Monty Python’s Flying Circus,” which Guido van Rossum was a fan of. He wanted to give the programming language a unique and interesting name.
What are some famous companies that use Python?
Several famous companies, including IBM, NASA, Quora, Reddit, Shutterstock, Netflix, and Spotify, use Python for various purposes in their projects.
Is Python suitable for beginners in programming?
Yes, Python is an excellent choice for beginners in programming due to its simplicity and similarity to the English language. It is often recommended as a starting point for those new to coding.
Conclusion
In this article, we walked you through a list of fun facts about the programming language called Python. It might come as a shock to you that it is more popular than a European language, or that it has no proprietary license! Python is commonly used all over the world, and it’s a great programming language to get started with learning, especially if you’re new to the world of coding. Go ahead and get started, and thank us later!