From: lexfridman
Python, initially conceived and developed by Guido van Rossum, is one of the world’s most popular programming languages, known for its versatility in various fields such as web development, neuroscience, AI, and robotics. This language has a rich development history that reflects the evolving needs of programmers and the computing industry.
Origins and Initial Development
Guido van Rossum, born in the Netherlands in 1956, created Python as a way to be more productive in programming between the realms of shell scripting and C programming languages [00:00:46]. The development of Python began as a personal project aimed at increasing productivity by providing a tool that was higher level than shell scripting but more accessible than C [00:56:02].
The original development of Python was heavily influenced by van Rossum’s experience with other languages. He borrowed features he liked from various languages, leading to a language that was both unique and familiar [01:04:46]. This approach allowed van Rossum to design and implement Python in about three months [00:57:17].
Key Influences and Design Philosophy
Van Rossum’s experience with ABC, a teaching language, greatly influenced Python’s design. While ABC was not widely successful, it helped identify useful features that could be simplified and extended to appeal to a broader audience [01:05:28].
Python’s development emphasized productivity, ease of use, and flexibility, essential in the diverse applications of computing. As van Rossum explains, Python is designed to make programming faster by requiring less focus on the low-level details found in other languages like C++ [01:02:05].
Evolution to Python 2 and Python 3
As Python grew in popularity, it underwent significant revisions. The transition from Python 2 to Python 3 marked a crucial evolution in the language’s development. This shift was partly motivated by Python’s developers’ desire to address certain limitations and ‘warts’ in the earlier version [01:07:03].
Although the decision to make Python 3 not fully backward compatible was controversial, van Rossum and the Python community believed it was necessary to resolve long-standing issues and modernize the language [01:09:00].
Community and Governance
Throughout its history, Python has been known for its strong community and open governance model. Van Rossum held the informal title of ‘Benevolent Dictator for Life’ (BDFL), guiding the language’s development while seeking community input [01:06:28].
In July 2018, van Rossum resigned from his BDFL role, trusting the community to decide Python’s future direction [01:11:15]. His departure was significant, yet he expressed confidence in the community’s ability to continue evolving Python in a well-meaning and productive manner [01:18:00].
Guido van Rossum's Legacy
Beyond technical achievements, van Rossum likened his work on Python to raising a child. He expressed pride in nurturing the language to a point where it could thrive independently [01:25:40].
Conclusion
Python’s development history is a testament to the collaborative effort of its community and the visionary guidance of Guido van Rossum. It highlights the adaptability and strength of Python as a tool that continues to evolve to meet modern computational needs, promising a robust future in the world of programming and technology.