Module 1: Introduction to Python

1. Overview of Python
1.1 Introduction to Python
1.2 Applications of Python
• Data Science
• Web Development
• Machine Learning & AI
• Automation
2. History of Python
• Python 1.x (1991)
• Python 2.x (2000)
• Python 3.x (2008)
3. Python’s Execution Model
• Parsing
• Bytecode Compilation
• Execution by the Python Virtual Machine (PVM)
4. Installation Process
• Installing Python on Windows
• Installing Python on Linux
5. Python IDEs (Integrated Development Environments)
• PyCharm
• VS Code
• Jupyter Notebook
• IDLE
6. Introduction to Anaconda
• Conda Package Manager
• Jupyter Notebooks
• Pre-built Libraries
• Cross-Platform Compatibility

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 Module 1: Introduction to Python

1. Overview of Python

Python is a high-level, interpreted programming language known for its readability, simplicity,
and ease of use. It is designed to be easy to understand and write, allowing developers to focus
more on solving problems than on managing complex language syntax. Python is a versatile
language with applications across many fields, such as:

Applications of Python:

1. Data Science:
o Python has become a staple in data science due to its rich ecosystem of libraries
that make data manipulation, analysis, and visualization straightforward.
o Key Libraries:
▪ pandas: Used for data manipulation and analysis, especially tabular data
(like Excel files).
▪ numpy: Used for numerical operations on large arrays and matrices.
▪ matplotlib and seaborn: Used for data visualization, allowing users to plot
graphs and charts.
▪ scikit-learn: A machine learning library that provides simple tools for data
mining and data analysis.

o Example: Python is widely used for analyzing datasets, visualizing patterns, and
building predictive models in industries like finance, healthcare, and marketing.
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2. Web Development:
o Python provides frameworks that simplify the development of web
applications and APIs.
o Popular Web Frameworks:
▪ Django: A high-level web framework that promotes rapid development,
clean design, and scalability. It follows the "batteries-included"
philosophy, offering built-in solutions for database management, user
authentication, and more.
▪ Flask: A lightweight web framework for building smaller, more flexible
applications. Flask provides the essentials but leaves developers more
freedom to choose their tools.
o Example: Websites like Instagram and Pinterest use Python-based frameworks for
their backends.

3. Machine Learning & AI:

o Python is widely used in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine
learning (ML) due to its easy syntax and extensive libraries.
o Libraries for ML and AI:
▪ TensorFlow: An open-source library developed by Google for deep
learning models.
▪ Keras: A high-level neural networks API, running on top of TensorFlow,
designed to make working with deep learning models easier.
▪ PyTorch: Another deep learning library that’s popular for research and
production.
o Example: Python is used for training models in areas such as natural language
processing, computer vision, and robotics.

4. Automation:
o Python is commonly used to automate repetitive tasks like web scraping, file
manipulation, and task scheduling.
o Libraries:
▪ BeautifulSoup and requests: For web scraping and working with web data.

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 ▪ Selenium: Used for automating web browsers to perform tasks like data
extraction or web testing.
o Example: Python scripts can be used to automate file renaming,
data cleanup, and sending emails.

2. History of Python

Python was created by Guido van Rossum and was first released in 1991. Over time, Python has
evolved to become one of the most popular languages globally. Here’s a brief look at its history:

• Python 1.x (1991):

o The initial release of Python, which included basic features such as exception
handling and support for core data types like list, string, and int.
o Python 1.0 was designed with an emphasis on code readability and simplicity,
making it a great choice for beginners.

• Python 2.x (2000):

o Python 2.x brought important features like list comprehensions, which allow
concise creation of lists based on existing lists, garbage collection to
automatically manage memory, and the print statement (before it became a
function in Python 3).
o Python 2.x was in widespread use for almost two decades but reached its end of
life in January 2020, with no further updates or support.

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 • Python 3.x (2008):
o Python 3.x introduced significant changes to the language, such as better
Unicode support, making Python more globally accessible. Syntax changes:
The print statement was changed to a function (i.e., print("Hello") instead of
print "Hello").

o Ongoing updates ensure Python 3.x remains relevant and robust, with continuous
improvements to performance, error handling, and libraries.

3. Python’s Execution Model

Python is an interpreted language, meaning that the code is executed line-by-line by the Python
Virtual Machine (PVM), rather than being compiled into machine code beforehand. The
execution model consists of the following steps:
1. Parsing: When Python code is written, it is
first parsed by the Python interpreter.
Parsing converts the code into an
intermediate representation (tokenized form).
2. Bytecode Compilation: Python code is
compiled into bytecode, a lower-level,
platform-independent representation. This bytecode is stored in .pyc files.
3. Execution by the PVM: The bytecode is then executed by the Python Virtual Machine
(PVM), which is responsible for interpreting and executing the bytecode on the host
system.
The entire process occurs behind the scenes, and Python's interpreter takes care of this
execution cycle.

4. Installation Process

To get started with Python, you need to install it on your machine. Below are the steps for installing
Python on Windows and Linux:

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 • Installing Python on Windows:
1. Visit the official Python website python.org.
2. Download the latest version of Python (Python 3.x).
3. Run the installer and check the box
to add Python to the PATH. This
allows you to run Python from the
command line.
4. Once the installation is complete,
open Command Prompt and type
python --version to verify the
installation.
• Installing Python on Linux:
1. Open your terminal.
2. Install Python using the package manager. For example, for Ubuntu:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install python3
3. Verify the installation by typing python3 --version in the terminal.

5. Python IDEs (Integrated Development Environments)

An IDE is a software application that provides comprehensive facilities to computer programmers

for software development. In Python development, popular IDEs include:
1. PyCharm:
o PyCharm is a full-featured IDE specifically designed for Python. It offers code
completion, error checking, debugging, and version control integration.
o Ideal for larger Python projects.

2. VS Code:
o Visual Studio Code is a lightweight, open-source code editor that supports Python
through extensions. It’s customizable and offers features such as syntax
highlighting, IntelliSense, and debugging.

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 3. Jupyter Notebook:
o Jupyter Notebook is an interactive computing environment where you can
write and execute Python code in blocks. It's heavily used in data science
and machine learning because it allows you to visualize outputs inline, making it
easier to explore data and build models interactively.

4. IDLE:
o IDLE is the default Python IDE that comes installed with Python. It’s a basic IDE
ideal for small scripts and beginners but lacks the advanced features of PyCharm
and VS Code.

6. Introduction to Anaconda

Anaconda is an open-source distribution of Python specifically designed for data science, machine
learning, and scientific computing. It provides a platform that simplifies package management
and deployment.

Key Features of Anaconda:

1. Conda Package Manager:

o Conda is a powerful package manager that helps you manage environments and
install dependencies. It’s especially useful in data science and machine learning,
where managing different versions of libraries is crucial.
o You can easily install, update, and remove libraries, such as numpy, scipy, and
matplotlib, using the command:
conda install <library-name>

2. Jupyter Notebooks:
o Jupyter Notebooks, which come pre-installed with Anaconda, provide an
interactive environment for running Python code and visualizing the results
immediately. They are especially useful for data exploration and creating
educational content.

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3. Pre-built Libraries:
o Anaconda comes with over 1,000 pre-built libraries for data science,
machine learning, and scientific computing. These libraries are ready to use
out-of-the-box, saving time on installation and configuration.

4. Cross-Platform Compatibility:
o Anaconda works across Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it a convenient
tool for data science professionals working on different operating systems.