Python is one of the most popular programming languages in the world. It is the go-to option for working with data science. As a result, Python compilers suited to a wide range of project requirements are plentiful. Before going into detail about Python compilers let’s see some basics of Python and a Python compiler.
What is Python?
Python is a high-level, interpreted, and object-oriented programming language that allows programmers to deal with a wide range of tasks, most notably data science. It comes with a huge standard library.
Because of its easy-to-use English-like syntax and dynamic nature, Python has become one of the most popular and commonly used programming languages.
The Python programming language is very easy to learn and dynamic in nature. Thus, one can easily use this language with other technologies for dealing with Python projects based on machine learning, artificial intelligence, web development, and so on.
Important Features of Python
Following are some features that tempt the developers to go for this language:
- It’s freely available as an open-source programming language.
- Unlike other programming languages such as C and C++, Python is interpreted line by line. As a result, a programmer’s task of locating and resolving faults that arise during writing the code becomes much easier.
- It is a programming language that is object-oriented and platform-independent.
- It’s straightforward to learn because the syntax is simple to comprehend. It can be learned in a few hours.
- In Python, you don’t have to worry about memory management.
Basic Python Syntax
Now, let’s see some basic syntax of Python programs that are useful for a beginner.
The basic way of writing a python program is shown in the above code snippet. Let’s see what exactly each line depicts:
- Line 1 returns the string value that is provided as an argument in the print statement.
- Line 2 is used for the simple addition of two numbers and line 3 is for concatenating two string values.
Output:
Now, we have a few syntaxes of loops and functions:
- Python syntax for Loops (while, do-while, and for): When you need to execute a set of statements over and over again, you’ll use a loop. Let’s know, for example, how to print even numbers between 1 to 10:
- for loop syntax:
for iterator_variable in sequence:Code:
Output:
- while loop syntax:
while expression: statement(s)
Code:
Output:
- Functions: In Python, a function is a collection of statements that accomplish a single task. It organizes and separates a huge Python application into smaller modules. There are no duplicate statements, which improves code reusability. For example:
Code:
Output:
These were some basics of Python programming, in the next sections, we will go through the definition of a Python compiler and some of the most popular Python compilers popular among programmers.
What is a Python Compiler?
A compiler is a computer program that reads the source code written in the high-level language in one go and then converts it to a low-level language equivalent that is easily understandable by the computer. This low-level language source code is basically an executable program.
A Python compiler is a compiler that can convert Python code to machine code. Although CPython is the default compiler for Python, there are many other great options for a Python compiler that Python developers around the world like to use. We will explore the best Python compilers in the next section.
Popular Python Compilers
1) Nuitka
Nuitka is a Python source-to-source translator that converts Python code to C/C++ source code or executables. This compiler is useful even if one hasn’t installed Python on their PC. Moreover, it can be easily used to create standalone programs.
This Python compiler supports Python 2.6, 2.7, and 3.3 to 3.7. Nuitka allows you to use a variety of Python libraries and extension modules also. The Python compiler is licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0, and is available for FreeBSD, Linux, macOS, NetBSD, and Windows.
2) PyJS
PyJS is a popular choice for folks who want to create Python code and run it inside web browsers. The PyJS compiler converts Python code into equivalent JavaScript code that can execute in a web browser.
Using the PyJS Desktop module, you can execute Python web application source code as a standalone desktop application (that runs under Python). Interestingly, PyJS and PyJS Desktop versions come preloaded on a plethora of Unix computers. This compiler supports up to Python 2.7.
3) Transcrypt
Transcrypt is an additional well-known Python compiler. It allows you to compile a large chunk of Python code into concise, legible, and debug-friendly JavaScript code. The Python compiler has a straightforward and powerful syntax that does not necessitate the use of any additional extensions.
4) CPython
CPython is a Python and C-based C compiler. It is Python’s default compiler. This compiler is most used and liked because of its portability and performance. It comes with Cython, which is the most popular C implementation of Python.
5) PyPy
PyPy was created by Armin Rigo in 2007 to replace the default compiler, Cython, using solely the Python programming language. It is based on the concept of just-in-time compilation and is around 7 times faster than Python’s default compiler.
6) Brython
Python3 may now be run in browsers using the Brython compiler. The goal of Brython is to allow developers to utilize Python’s cleaner and more efficient syntax to create web pages instead of JavaScript. It aims to replace JavaScript as the popular programming language of the web.
7) IronPython
IronPython was created by Jim Hugunin in September 2006, utilizing the C# programming language to link Python code with .NET Framework and Mono (an open-source development platform based on .NET). This compiler gives access to all types of .NET libraries that easily combine Python and .NET.
8) Skulpt
Skulpt is an in-browser Python implementation, thus it doesn’t require any additional processing, plugins, or server-side assistance. The Python compiler allows you to write Python code and have it run right inside your browser. It supports up to python 3.3.
9) Shed Skin
It translates a statically typed Python program into its pure C++ equivalent. The variables should only infer a single data type if they are statically typed.
Shed Skin supports only a subset of the standard Python library functions. Thus, some basic capabilities, such as employing nested functions and writing functions that accept a variable number of parameters, aren’t supported by Shed Skin.
Conclusion
Python is one of the leading programming languages of the 21st century, hence it has no dearth of learning resources available. These include Python courses, books, tutorials, and certifications.
In this blog, we have gone through the definition of a Python compiler and the basics of Python syntax that must be known to get started with Python Programming. Next, we have gone through the nine best Python compilers from which one can choose according to project requirements.
Hi! I am Shekhar, a professional web & mobile app developer with expertise in MEAN Stack, Next.js, React.js, and React Native. Being interested in working with different IT technologies, I always look forward to learning something new and challenging. Along with JavaScript, I also know several other programming languages, including Python and TypeScript.