Python is a high-level, interpreted, and general-purpose programming language known for its readability, simplicity, and versatility. Created by Guido van Rossum and first released in 1991, Python supports multiple programming paradigms, including procedural, object-oriented, and functional programming.

Python can be used for various applications, including: Web development (Django, Flask) Data analysis and visualization (Pandas, Matplotlib, Seaborn) Machine learning and artificial intelligence (TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-Learn) Automation and scripting Game development Desktop GUI applications Network programming and more.

You can download and install Python from the official website at python.org. Most Linux and macOS systems come with Python pre-installed. For package management and virtual environments, you can also install pip and virtualenv.