The Story of Python, by Its Creator, Guido van Rossum

Oracle Developers
25 Feb 201904:01

Summary

TLDRIn this interview, the creator of Python, Guido van Rossum, recounts his Dutch upbringing and his early career at CWI, a government-funded research lab. He discusses the origins of Python, which began as a solution to the limitations of shell scripts and C programs for a distributed system project called Amoeba. Van Rossum initially estimated Python's development would take two to three months, but it eventually grew into a widely adopted programming language. He reflects on Python's open-source release, the formation of a community, and the current transition in Python's governance structure as he steps down from his role as Benevolent Dictator For Life (BDFL).

Takeaways

  • 🌍 The speaker is Dutch and grew up in the Netherlands.
  • 🐍 Python was created by the speaker while working at CWI, a government-funded research lab focused on advanced math and computer science.
  • 🔠 The speaker's first job was with a team working on the ABC programming language, which influenced his views on language design.
  • 📚 The unsuccessful ABC project led to the speaker working on the Amoeba distributed system, sparking the idea for a new programming language.
  • 💡 The desire for a programming language that was more user-friendly and concise than shell scripts or C programs led to the creation of Python.
  • 🕒 The initial estimate for building Python was two to three months, but it took longer and the productivity gains were not immediate.
  • 🌐 After about a year, Python was released as open source, which helped in building a community of users and contributors.
  • 👥 The Python community grew, with people spreading the word and contributing to the language's development.
  • 🔑 The speaker had the final say on contributions to Python during its early years.
  • 🔄 The speaker resigned from his position as BDFL (Benevolent Dictator For Life), reflecting a change in Python's governance structure.
  • 🔄 The Python community is in the process of determining the best governance model for the future, possibly involving a committee for long-term guidance.

Q & A

  • Where did the creator of Python grow up?

    -The creator of Python grew up in the Netherlands.

  • What was the name of the research lab where Python was created?

    -Python was created at CWI, a research lab funded by the government.

  • What was the first programming language the creator of Python worked on?

    -The first programming language the creator of Python worked on was named ABC.

  • Why did the creator of Python decide to develop a new programming language?

    -The creator of Python wanted a third language that was more like a genuine programming language, easier to use like shell scripts, but without the readability issues of shell scripts.

  • What was the name of the distributed system project that influenced the creation of Python?

    -The distributed system project that influenced the creation of Python was named Amoeba.

  • How long did the creator of Python initially think it would take to build the Python interpreter?

    -The creator of Python initially thought it would take two or three months to build the Python interpreter.

  • How did the creator of Python plan to recoup the time spent building the Python interpreter?

    -The creator planned to recoup the time spent by increased productivity not just for himself but for the whole team using the new language.

  • When was Python first released as open source?

    -Python was first released as open source about a year after its creation.

  • What was the initial response to Python's open source release?

    -The initial response was the formation of a small community of Python enthusiasts who started spreading the word about Python and contributing to its development.

  • What was the role of the creator of Python in deciding contributions to the language?

    -The creator had the last word on whether he wanted a particular contribution in the language.

  • What significant change is happening in Python's governance structure?

    -Python's governance structure is changing, with the community figuring out the best way forward, likely moving towards a small committee guiding Python's future vision.

Outlines

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Highlights

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Transcripts

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Étiquettes Connexes
Python OriginProgrammingNetherlandsLanguage DesignCWIABC ProjectAmoeba SystemOpen SourceCommunityGovernance
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