Introduction to Python for non-geeks

To get your computer to work with you, you need to talk to it, tell it something, make a statement. A list of statements is called a program.

Sadly, Computers do not speak the Queen's English, they speak like this: 010111000100011000000100110.

However, humans cannot understand that.

So for you and your computer to understand each other, you both need to compromise. A programming language is somewhere between English and the computer's own native language. It is a code that both humans and computers can read.

There are many different programming languages. Originally computers had very little power, so to start with, humans had to do most of the compromising; humans had to write in very obscure language.

Now however, computers have so much power, and they grow more powerful every year. However, the time for humans has decreased, people are more expensive and there are more distractions and entertainment.

Here are four images that show the development of computers:

The idea of the Python programming language is to shift the balance of work back onto the machine, to reduce the arcane and obscure parts and make programs more human readable. Python attempts to make the programmer more productive and effective with his/her time. The fact that the code easier to read and understand means that the programmer can focus on making it higher quality; it also means that other people have a higher chance of understanding your code.

To find out more, try our Background to Python tutorial.