Swimming with Elvis: Part 8
Coding Languages
I've coded in many languages over the years, starting with C, HTML and Javascript.
I absolutely love Python.
Python has long been my language of choice for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, Python's syntax is clean and easy to understand, which makes it a great language for beginners. But don't let its simplicity fool you - Python is a powerful and versatile language that's used in everything from web development to data science to machine learning. Python's philosophy is "There should be one-- and preferably only one --obvious way to do it", which leads to more readable and maintainable code.
Python also has a rich ecosystem of libraries and frameworks. Whether you're working with data (Pandas, NumPy), building a web app (Django, Flask), or delving into machine learning (scikit-learn, TensorFlow), there's likely a Python library that can make your job easier. Python's extensive standard library, often described as "batteries included," means that often you don't even need to install anything to start building.
The Zen of Python, a collection of 19 "guiding principles", really encapsulates why I love Python. If you run this command in a Python interpreter:
import this
You'll get:
The Zen of Python, by Tim Peters
Beautiful is better than ugly.
Explicit is better than implicit.
Simple is better than complex.
Complex is better than complicated.
Flat is better than nested.
Sparse is better than dense.
Readability counts.
Special cases aren't special enough to break the rules.
Although practicality beats purity.
Errors should never pass silently.
Unless explicitly silenced.
In the face of ambiguity, refuse the temptation to guess.
There should be one-- and preferably only one --obvious way to do it.
Although that way may not be obvious at first unless you're Dutch.
Now is better than never.
Although never is often better than *right* now.
If the implementation is hard to explain, it's a bad idea.
If the implementation is easy to explain, it may be a good idea.
Namespaces are one honking great idea -- let's do more of those!
It's a great reminder of what makes Python special, and a guide to writing good Python code.
As for BASH, I've already talked about why I love it so much: solid, simple commands that can be chained together reliably to produce powerful outcomes.
All for the wonderful low price of: free.
Next: Noteable Python Libraries
touch me && echo "beer" > me && mkdir -p hawaii && mv me hawaii/