Table of Contents
Why Does Python’s Philosophy Emphasize Fewer Lines of Code for Clarity?
Discover why Python was designed to allow programmers to express complex concepts clearly and concisely. Learn how its core philosophy, emphasizing simplicity and readability, results in fewer lines of code compared to other languages.
Question
Why was Python developed with an emphasis on fewer lines of code?
A. To replace all compiled languages
B. To ensure compatibility with only one OS
C. To allow programmers to express concepts more clearly and concisely
D. To make programs run slower
Answer
C. To allow programmers to express concepts more clearly and concisely
Explanation
Python emphasizes simplicity and readability.
Python was developed with a core philosophy that prioritizes code readability and simplicity. The goal of using fewer lines of code is a direct result of this principle; it allows developers to write code that is less cluttered and more closely resembles plain English, sometimes described as “executable pseudocode”. This design choice enables programmers to express complex ideas more directly and intuitively than in more verbose languages like Java or C++.
This philosophy is formally captured in the “Zen of Python” (PEP 20), which includes guiding aphorisms such as:
- Simple is better than complex.
- Readability counts.
- Explicit is better than implicit.
By adhering to these principles, Python allows for faster development, easier maintenance, and better collaboration, as the code is more straightforward for others to understand.
The other options are incorrect for the following reasons:
A. To replace all compiled languages: Python is an interpreted language and was not designed to replace compiled languages. It excels as a high-level scripting and “glue” language.
B. To ensure compatibility with only one OS: Python is renowned for its cross-platform compatibility, running effectively on Windows, macOS, Linux, and other operating systems.
D. To make programs run slower: Slower execution speed compared to compiled languages is a trade-off for Python’s high-level abstractions and dynamic typing, not a design goal. The focus was on developer productivity, not raw performance.
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