Title: Python Introduction
Course: CPS 120: Introduction to Computer Science ~ Master (Aug/2015) OLD > Section: Learning Units

Python is an interpreted language.  As a Python program runs, each line of code is translated to machine-readable code and then run.  This is a different approach than a compiled language.  A compiled language translates an entire program to machine-readable code.  It may then be run as often as needed.  Whenever the program changes, it must be recompiled before it is re-run.

Python was created in the early 1990s by Guido Van Rossum.  He is still the principal author, but many others have contributed to the development of the language.  There is a vast library of Python code available for use in our programs.  Python has been applied to many areas of computing including databases, gaming, networking, and the web.

Python is free to use and runs on Windows, Linux/Unix, and Mac OS X.  This course uses its latest version, which is Python 3.  The official web site for the Python programming language is www.python.org.