Differences Between Python 3 vs Python 2
Python is a programming language that is interactive, object-oriented and interpreted high-level language. Python has been developed with great features of dynamic typing, classes, dynamic data types, modules, and exceptions. The best feature is the syntax, it is very clear, easy to understand and write for the beginners as well who is new to a programming language.
Python was developed by Guido Van Rossum in the year 1991. Van was reading a published script “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” while developing the python. He wants name should be unique, notable and easily remembered so he gave the name “Python”.
Van came up with the idea of developing it when he was working with a group on an interpreted language. He had vast experience in language and studied on language design. The problem he was facing was the extensibility of the programming language while implementing. So, he decided to go with extensible language and to develop on his own and in the year 1991 he gave the first look of “Python”.
Python is open-source which makes python available to use easily and freely. Its extensive library makes it free to use on major platforms like MAC, Windows, Linux, etc. The interpreted system makes the python more readable and fast development of an application, even for customized applications python is widely used. Python has extensions .py, .pyc, .pyd, .pyo, .pyw, .pyz. Python can be written in IDE’s like Eclipse, NetBeans.
Python has two main versions Python 3 vs Python 2, then to its subversions like 2.X.Y. The last release for python 2.X was 2.7 or 2.7.10 was in 2010. The first release for python 3.X was in the year 2008 and the latest stable release is Python 3.6 in 2016. Python is very stable and having stable releases continuously. If we want to check what all the new things coming up in the future for python, we can check the PEPs section on the official python website. PEPs means Python Enhancement proposals which give us an idea of new features getting added in new releases.
Python is providing extended support to 2.7 version as some developers/organization wants to continue with it, but it’s not recommended. Python has provided a 3.X version with a lot of great features which makes the programming more effective and consistent.
Head to Head Comparison between Python 3 vs Python 2
Below is the Top 8 Comparison Between Python 3 vs Python 2
Key Differences Between Python 3 vs Python 2
Both Python 3 vs Python 2 are popular choices in the market; let us discuss some of the major Differences Between Python 3 vs Python 2:
- Python 3 has been broadly supported for developing a wide range of GUI applications and many other packages are available in Python 3 as compared to Python 2.
- In Python 3, a print function has been used means arguments should be enclosed in parenthesis. E.g. print (“This is Python 3”). In Python 2, a print is treated as a statement. E.g. print “This is Python”.
- In Python 3, the value of integers division would be appropriate by default. E.g. divide 5/2 will result in 2.5. In Python 2, we need to provide data type as a float if the output will come in decimal otherwise only the result will come in an integer only. E.g. 5/2 give result 2.
- In Python 3, text and data have been used. Unicode (UTF-8) is a default encoding source for python 3 and str represented as length 1 string. In python 2, str represented as the length 8-bit string
- In Python 3, Syntax changes are done to make the programming language more effective and easy for the developers compared to Python 2.
- In Python 3, for handling or catching exceptions we need to use “as” keyword. E.g. except Error as err (except some exception as a variable). In Python 2, we need to use ‘,’ for the same. E.g. except Error, err (except some exception, err).
- In Python 3, for raising exceptions we need to use as raise Error (“Message for error”). The italic syntax donated as (raise exception (args)). In python 2, syntax used as raise Error, “message”. The italic syntax donated as (raise exception, args).
- In Python 3, new built-in functions are included, some are removed and renamed as compared to Python 2.
- Python 3 has been developed in such a way that Python 3 is incompatible with python 2.
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Comparison Table Python 3 vs Python 2
Following Is the comparison table Differences Between Python 3 vs Python 2
| The Basis Of Comparisons Between Python 3 vs Python 2 | Python 3 | Python 2 |
| Function Print | A print is a function. | A print is A statement. |
| Division of Integers | When two integers divided, will get float value if required. | When two integers divided, always give integer value only. |
| Unicode | Default storing strings as Unicode (UTF-8). | To store as Unicode, need to label with ”u”. |
| Syntax Changes | Syntax becomes simpler and easily understandable. | Syntax was quite difficult to python3. |
| Comparisons | Rules of ordering comparisons have been simplified. | It’s more complexed to python 3. |
| Iterators and lists | Range() function introduced for iterations. | xrange() is used for iterations. |
| Leak of variables | The value of variables doesn’t leak. | The value of the global variable got changed while using that in for-loop. |
| Exceptions | Exception argument should be enclosed in parenthesis. | Exception argument can be enclosed in notations. |
Conclusion Python 3 vs Python 2
Python 3 vs Python are getting used widely in an organisation as per their requirements. Python 2.X is widely used as it is stable for a long time. Python 3.X is also getting into a notice of developers. Developers used to go with python 2 as from python 2 to python 3 transitioning is happening and some of the libraries are not available in Python 3 which is very helpful in python 2.
Python is a general-purpose programming language which is easily understandable. Developers can write the code effectively. If you are a beginner, it’s a great language to start with which helps you in gaining confidence in this field. It doesn’t matter which version to use python 2 or python 3. Python 3 is growing at a good pace with its stable releases and it is definitely the next language to work.
The above description can give you a good idea of the difference between Python 3 vs Python 2 versions. In the coming years, it will not be a surprise if python will be the most desired language among the IT companies and programmers.
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