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Refreshed and Revised ABOUT.md for track.
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# About
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Python is a strong language for beginners.
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[Python][python docs] is a [dynamic and strongly][dynamic typing in python] typed [object-oriented][object oriented programming] programming language.
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It employs both [duck typing][duck typing] and [gradual typing][gradual typing] (via [type hints][type hints]).
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It supports multiple programming paradigms including imperative (_object-oriented, procedural_) and declarative (_functional, concurrent_) flavors.
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But do not be fooled: while programming across paradigms is fully supported, [everything in Python is an object][everythings an object].
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There are many resources available for programmers of all levels, the code is highly readable, and in many cases phrases are comparable to those in the English language.
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Code can be written and executed from the command line, in an interactive IPython session, or in a [Jupyter](http://jupyter.org) (IPython) notebook.
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Python was created by Guido van Rossum and first released in 1991.
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The [Python Software Foundation][psf] manages and directs resources for Python and CPython development and receives proposals for changes to the language from [members][psf membership] of the community via [Python Enhancement Proposals or PEPs][peps].
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It is considered a strong language for programmers [starting their journey][python for beginners], with a welcoming community and many resources available to learners of all levels and persuasions.
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The most common form of Python is compiled in C; this is often invisible to the beginning programmer, but if there are uses for which exceptionally fast implementation is needed then C extensions can be written to optimize Python execution.
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[Python is used extensively](https://www.python.org/about/apps/) in scientific computing, finance, games, networking, internet development, and in assembling pipelines of other programs.
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Python puts a strong emphasis on code readability and (_similar to Haskell_) uses [significant indentation][significant indentation] to denote function, method, and class definitions.
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Code can be written and executed from the command line, in an interactive interpreter session, in [JupyterLab][jupyter] (Jupyter notebook), or a wide variety of [code editors and IDEs][editors for python].
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Python was started by Guido van Rossum in 1989; its name is an homage to the comedy troupe Monty Python.
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[Python is used extensively][python is used extensively] in scientific computing, finance, games, networking, internet development, and in assembling pipelines of other programs.
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This track uses Python 3. It is highly recommended that students upgrade to at least Python 3.6 as some features used by this track may not be supported in earlier version of Python.
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Python development is shepherded by [The Python Software Foundation](https://www.python.org/about/) and there are active community-based user groups worldwide.
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The [zen of Python (PEP 20)][the zen of python] and [What is Pythonic?][what is pythonic] lay out additional philosophies and perspectives on the language.
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This track currently uses `Python 3.9.0`.
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It is highly recommended that students upgrade to at least `Python 3.8`, as some features used by this track may not be supported in earlier versions.
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That being said, most exercises can be completed using Python 3.7, and many can be worked in Python 3.6.
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We will note when a feature is only available in a certain version.
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Complete documentation for the current release of Python (3.9.7) can be found at [docs.python.org][python docs].
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- [Python Tutorial][python tutorial]
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- [Python Library Reference][python library reference]
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- [Python Language Reference][python language reference]
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- [Python HOW TOs][python how tos]
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- [Python FAQs][python faqs]
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- [Python Glossary of Terms][python glossary of terms]
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[duck typing]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duck_typing
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[dynamic typing in python]: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/11328920/is-python-strongly-typed
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[editors for python]: https://djangostars.com/blog/python-ide/
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[everythings an object]: https://docs.python.org/3/reference/datamodel.html
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[gradual typing]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gradual_typing
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[jupyter]: http://jupyter.org
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[object oriented programming]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Object-oriented_programming
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[peps]: https://www.python.org/dev/peps/
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[psf membership]: https://www.python.org/psf/membership/
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[psf]: https://www.python.org/psf/
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[python docs]: https://docs.python.org/3/
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[python faqs]: https://docs.python.org/3/faq/index.html
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[python for beginners]: https://www.python.org/about/gettingstarted/
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[python glossary of terms]: https://docs.python.org/3/glossary.html
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[python how tos]: https://docs.python.org/3/howto/index.html
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[python is used extensively]: https://www.python.org/about/apps/
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[python language reference]: https://docs.python.org/3/reference/index.html
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[python library reference]: https://docs.python.org/3/library/index.html
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[python tutorial]: https://docs.python.org/3/tutorial/index.html
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[significant indentation]: https://docs.python.org/3/reference/lexical_analysis.html#indentation
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[the zen of python]: https://www.python.org/dev/peps/pep-0020/
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[type hints]: https://docs.python.org/3/library/typing.html
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[what is pythonic]: https://blog.startifact.com/posts/older/what-is-pythonic.html

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