Ohidur Rahman Bappy

Introduction

Python, a versatile and popular programming language, has some intriguing aspects that make it unique. Here are 12 fun facts about Python you might not know.

1. Python Started as a Hobby Project

Guido Van Rossum initiated Python as a hobby project in December 1989.

2. The Zen of Python

Type import this in your Python terminal to discover The Zen of Python, an easter egg that offers guiding principles for writing computer programs:

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!

3. Varieties of Python

Python is available in various flavors:

CPython: The standard implementation written in C.
Jython: Compiles Python to Java bytecode.
IronPython: Works with .NET languages, implemented in C#.
Brython: Python for the web browser.
RubyPython: Bridges Python and Ruby interpreters.
PyPy: Fast implementation written in Python.
MicroPython: Runs on microcontrollers.

4. No Braces

Unlike Java or C++, Python uses indentation instead of braces for code separation. Using from __future__ import braces humorously results in an error.

5. Antigravity Module

Entering import antigravity in Python IDLE opens a web comic about the antigravity module.

6. Python Influenced JavaScript

Python is one of the nine languages that influenced the design of JavaScript. Others include AWK, C, HyperTalk, Java, Lua, Perl, Scheme, and Self.

7. Underscore for Last Expression

In the Python shell, use _ to refer to the value of the last executed expression:

>>> 3*5
15
>>> 2*_
30

8. Loops with Else

for and while loops can include an else statement, executed only if the loop finishes without hitting a break:

def func(array):
    for num in array:
        if num % 2 == 0:
            print(num)
            break
    else:
        print("No even number found.")

func([1, 3, 5])
func([4, 5, 6])

9. Implicit String Concatenation

Adjacent string literals concatenate automatically:

"Hello" "World"  # Results in 'HelloWorld'

10. Multiple Return Values

Python functions can return multiple values:

def func():
    return 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

one, two, three, four, five = func()
print(one, two, three, four, five)

11. Handling Infinity

Python supports positive and negative infinity:

p_infinity = float('Inf')
if 99999999999999 > p_infinity:
    print("The number is greater than Infinity!")
else:
    print("Infinity is greatest")

n_infinity = float('-Inf')
if -99999999999999 < n_infinity:
    print("The number is lesser than Negative Infinity!")
else:
    print("Negative Infinity is least")

Conclusion

Python is a language full of hidden gems and unique characteristics that contribute to its widespread popularity and versatility.

12 Fascinating Python Facts