Did you think Python is just an ordinary programming language? You might not know that its name actually comes from a comedy troupe, its design philosophy is as beautiful as poetry, and its founder is still active in the coding world today!
Today, let’s explore some of the lesser-known interesting stories about Python that will surely change your perception of this programming language!
First: The name comes from a comedy troupe, not a python snake!
Many people see the Python logo, which is a python snake, and assume that the name comes from reptiles. In fact, that’s not the case at all!
Python’s creator, Guido van Rossum, started writing this new language during Christmas in 1989 out of boredom. At that time, he was watching the British comedy troupe Monty Python’s Flying Circus, and on a whim, he decided to name it Python.
This is just like naming your work after your favorite band! Someone once said, “The greatest inventions often start from the most casual inspirations.” The name Python is the best proof of this.
Now you know why the Python documentation often features jokes like spam and eggs, right? It’s all a tribute to Monty Python’s comedy!
Second: The design philosophy is as beautiful as poetry
Python has a famous “Zen of Python,” which contains 19 design principles. These principles not only guide the development of Python but also influence countless programmers.
Some of the most famous include:
Beautiful is better than ugly
Explicit is better than implicit
Simple is better than complex
These principles are not rigid technical specifications but rather a programming philosophy filled with wisdom. As a seasoned programmer once said, “Good code should be as enjoyable to read as a good article.”
This is also why Python code always looks so neat and clear. It’s not forced to be tidy; it inherently pursues elegance and simplicity from its design philosophy.
Third: Did the founder become busier after retirement?
In 2018, Guido announced his retirement from the core development team of Python. But surprisingly, he became even more active after retirement!
He now frequently participates in various programming conferences, serves as a technical advisor for major tech companies, and continues to contribute his wisdom to the Python community. It’s like a professor who has more time to pursue their favorite research after retirement.
Interestingly, his most common remark now is, “I’m glad I chose the name Python instead of other options.”
It’s indeed a scary thought: if he had been watching a different show back then, we might be coding under a completely different name!
The story of Python tells us that great inventions often stem from small inspirations in life, and that adhering to simplicity and elegance can lead to greater achievements. True passion never retires.
These anecdotes are not only interesting but also help us understand why Python has become one of the most popular programming languages. Its success is not accidental but rooted in its unique design philosophy and cultural heritage.
Now, when you write Python code, think about these stories behind it. Perhaps you can gain new inspiration and motivation from them!
What other interesting stories do you know about Python? Feel free to share your discoveries in the comments!