Python
Noun · Development · Origin: 1991
Definitions
Python is a high-level, general-purpose programming language emphasizing code readability, simplicity, and developer productivity. Created by Guido van Rossum and first released in 1991, Python uses significant indentation to define code blocks instead of braces or keywords, which enforces a clean, consistent coding style. Python supports multiple programming paradigms, including procedural, object-oriented, and functional programming. Its extensive standard library and the vast ecosystem of third-party packages on PyPI make it suitable for virtually any task: web development (Django, Flask, FastAPI), data science and machine learning (NumPy, pandas, scikit-learn, PyTorch, TensorFlow), automation and scripting, scientific computing, and system administration. Python is dynamically typed and interpreted, which speeds up development at the cost of runtime performance compared to compiled languages. CPython is the reference implementation, though alternatives like PyPy offer just-in-time compilation for better performance. Python consistently ranks among the most popular programming languages in the world and is widely used in education as a first language.
In plain English: A popular, beginner-friendly programming language used for everything from websites to AI to data analysis — known for being easy to read and write.
Origin Story
Named after a comedy troupe, not a snake
Guido van Rossum started working on Python during his Christmas break in December 1989 at Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) in Amsterdam. He wanted a scripting language that was a descendant of ABC but with better extensibility and Unix/C integration.
Van Rossum named the language after Monty Python's Flying Circus, the British comedy troupe he was a fan of, not the snake. The Monty Python influence permeated the culture: official documentation uses spam-and-eggs examples instead of foo-and-bar, the package manager is called 'the Cheese Shop' (after a sketch), and the language's philosophy emphasizes fun and readability.
Python's 'batteries included' standard library and readable syntax made it accessible to non-programmers, which became its superpower. From web development to data science to AI research, Python's gentle learning curve let it expand into domains that traditional systems languages never reached.
Coined by: Guido van Rossum
Context: CWI Amsterdam, December 1989
Fun fact: Guido van Rossum held the title of BDFL (Benevolent Dictator for Life) of Python from the project's inception until he stepped down in 2018 after a contentious debate over PEP 572.