Python is a programming language that, as of the time of writing, is ranked number four on the the TIOBE programming language popularity index. It's one of the most popular languages taught in college, as well as heavily used in industry. Companies such as Google, Rackspace, Industrial Lights and Magic, D-Link, NASA, and others, as well as the Department of Defense and a large number of hobby projects, rely on Python to get work done.

This chapter will cover the following items:

• What is Python?
• Working with Python
• Commenting Python code
• Launching Python programs
• Using the IPython shell