[Tutor] Python 2 Vs python 3

[Joseph Lee]

Hi,

Answers are below.

 

From: Tutor [mailto:tutor-bounces+joseph.lee22590=gmail.com at python.org] On Behalf Of idiallo.spsu at gmail.com
Sent: Sunday, July 13, 2014 9:16 AM
To: Python Tutor Mailing List
Subject: [Tutor] Python 2 Vs python 3

 

I am in the process to dive into python and start learning it. But most books advice to install python 2 instead of ‎python 3. Any advice from the ones with the experiences and what is the main difference? 

 

JL: Python 2 and 3 series are backwards incompatible. For instance, whereas in Python 2, you can do something like:

print “hello”

In Python 3, you need to use:

print(“hello”)

There are other differences, including different division strategies, no more old objects and so on. Major concepts are same in Python 2 and 3, such as classes, exceptions and so on.

Many books recommend Python 2 because some popular libraries such as WXPython has not been ported to Python 3 yet, and Python Foundation announced that they are committed to releasing new 2.7.x series for those who would like to stay in Python 2 for a while (they just released 2.7.8 a few days ago). Once you’re comfortable with 2, using 3 isn’t hard (there are syntax differences you need to be aware of). These days, many libraries and projects are written with both Python 2 and 3 in mind for ease of porting to Python 3 in case Python 3 becomes more popular (not for now). There are also modules such as 2to3 which will try its best to convert Python 2 code to Python 3 with hand-written corrections required in the end.

You can install both Python 2 and 3 on the same computer (I have this setup under Cygwin). I myself speak Python 2 for now due to requirements for a project that I’m involved with.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Joseph

 

 

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