Python as a First Programming Language for Everyone

In this paper, the Python programming language is introduced, and promoted as an excellent choice as a first programming language for anyone who wants to learn programming. We give a brief history and synopsis of what makes it so popular, followed by a series of code examples comparing it to Java. Finally, it is argued that the rise in popularity of the World Wide Web has drastically changed the nature of programming, and that Python is a better general-purpose introductory language than Java, C++, or other traditional high-level languages.