We delve into the origins of Python, uncovering the brilliant minds behind its creation and shedding light on the history of lambda functions.
Python has gained unprecedented popularity in recent times, driven by its philosophy of simplicity and code clarity. If you're curious about why Python has become a dominant force in the world of programming, take a moment to read our article: Why Python is So Popular.
Python's Origins
Let's journey back in time to discover the masterminds behind this powerful programming tool and explore the timeline of its development. Brace yourselves for a surprising cast of characters!
Guido van Rossum
The primary architect of Python is the Dutch programmer, Guido van Rossum, born on January 31, 1956, in The Hague, Netherlands.
Guido drew inspiration from the ABC programming language, which he had encountered at the Center for Mathematics and Informatics (CWI) in the Netherlands. ABC, though simple and accessible, fell short in tackling complex problems.
In December 1989, Guido embarked on a mission to create a language that would blend the simplicity of ABC with enhanced capabilities. This endeavor gave birth to Python. Interestingly, the name of the language pays homage to the popular British comedy show from the '70s, "Monty Python's Flying Circus."
The inaugural version of Python (0.9.0) saw the light of day in February 1991. Besides its simplicity, conciseness, and readability, Python offered the ability to craft modular and extensible programs.
As time rolled on, Python evolved and matured, resulting in numerous versions. A pivotal moment in Python's history arrived in 2008 with the release of Python 3.0, bringing substantial improvements and optimizations, albeit with some backward incompatibility.
Co-Authors
Python, as we know it today, owes its existence to a vast community of dedicated developers who contribute tirelessly to its growth and ecosystem. While Guido van Rossum's influence looms large, he was not alone in shaping Python's destiny.
During his tenure in the Netherlands in the late '80s and early '90s, Guido collaborated with other esteemed developers, including Rinus Roelings, Edoardo Re, Jan Stevenson, and Paul Johnson. If you stumble upon their photos, do share them in the comments!
Alex Martelli
Alex Martelli made a significant mark on Python by translating its documentation into English in 1995 and providing ongoing support. Alex, an American programmer of Italian heritage born in 1955, now proudly serves at Google.
Alex is a prominent figure in Python education, frequently gracing conferences, courses, and university lectures with his wealth of knowledge and experience. He has also authored numerous articles on Python and co-authored several books on the language.
Bjarne Stroustrup
Bjarne Stroustrup, the creator of the C++ programming language, brought his expertise to Python's early days, offering valuable guidance and advice. Born in 1950 in Aarhus, Denmark, Bjarne's C++ contributions influenced various aspects of computer science and programming, some of which found their way into Python.
While Python is not strictly an object-oriented programming language, it embraces an object model and incorporates numerous standard classes and modules, thanks in part to C++'s legacy.
Bruce Eckel
Bruce Eckel, renowned for his book "Thinking in Python," played a pivotal role in shaping Python's development. The book found popularity among novice programmers and remains highly regarded. Bruce, born in 1957, continues to make his presence felt in Python circles.
Additionally, Bruce frequently shares his insights at conferences and events, sparking interest in Python among a broad audience interested in software development.
Tim Peters
Tim Peters made a substantial contribution to Python with the creation of the zlib module, which facilitates data compression. Python's strength lies in its extensibility through third-party modules and libraries, and Tim's work expanded the language's capabilities.
Notably, Tim Peters played a vital role in championing the principles of openness and freedom, contributing to Python's ethos of community-driven development. Today, the language remains open to modification by anyone willing to contribute.
In Conclusion
Our mental images of Python's creators may differ from reality. These developers are so deeply passionate about technology that they shun the limelight and public attention. In fact, photographs of some influential contributors are challenging to unearth on the vast expanse of the internet. It turns out that Python owes its existence to the modest and diligent representatives of the boomer and "X" generations, who bestowed upon us this remarkable programming language.