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<H1><A NAME="SECTION001000000000000000000"></A>
<BR>
Front Matter
</H1>

<P>
Copyright &#169; 1991-1995 by Stichting Mathematisch Centrum,
Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

<P>
<DIV ALIGN="CENTER">
All Rights Reserved

</DIV>

<P>
Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this software and its
documentation for any purpose and without fee is hereby granted,
provided that the above copyright notice appear in all copies and that
both that copyright notice and this permission notice appear in
supporting documentation, and that the names of Stichting Mathematisch
Centrum or CWI or Corporation for National Research Initiatives or
CNRI not be used in advertising or publicity pertaining to
distribution of the software without specific, written prior
permission.

<P>
While CWI is the initial source for this software, a modified version
is made available by the Corporation for National Research Initiatives
(CNRI) at the Internet address <span class=url><a href="ftp://ftp.python.org">ftp://ftp.python.org</a></span>.

<P>
STICHTING MATHEMATISCH CENTRUM AND CNRI DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES WITH
REGARD TO THIS SOFTWARE, INCLUDING ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS, IN NO EVENT SHALL STICHTING MATHEMATISCH
CENTRUM OR CNRI BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM LOSS OF USE, DATA OR
PROFITS, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER
TORTIOUS ACTION, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR
PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.

<P>

<H3>Abstract:</H3>
<DIV CLASS="ABSTRACT">

<P>
Python is an easy to learn, powerful programming language.  It has
efficient high-level data structures and a simple but effective
approach to object-oriented programming.  Python's elegant syntax and
dynamic typing, together with its interpreted nature, make it an ideal 
language for scripting and rapid application development in many areas 
on most platforms.

<P>
The Python interpreter and the extensive standard library are freely
available in source or binary form for all major platforms from the
Python web site, <span class=url><a href="http://www.python.org">http://www.python.org</a></span>, and can be freely
distributed.  The same site also contains distributions of and
pointers to many free third party Python modules, programs and tools,
and additional documentation.

<P>
The Python interpreter is easily extended with new functions and data
types implemented in C or C++ (or other languages callable from C).
Python is also suitable as an extension language for customizable
applications.

<P>
This tutorial introduces the reader informally to the basic concepts
and features of the Python language and system.  It helps to have a
Python interpreter handy for hands-on experience, but all examples are
self-contained, so the tutorial can be read off-line as well.

<P>
For a description of standard objects and modules, see the
<i>Python Library Reference</i> document.  The <i>Python Reference
Manual</i> gives a more formal definition of the language.  To write
extensions in C or C++, read the <i>Extending and Embedding</i> and
<i>Python/C API</i> manuals.  There are also several books covering
Python in depth.

<P>
This tutorial does not attempt to be comprehensive and cover every
single feature, or even every commonly used feature.  Instead, it
introduces many of Python's most noteworthy features, and will give
you a good idea of the language's flavor and style.  After reading it,
you will be able to read and write Python modules and programs, and
you will be ready to learn more about the various Python library
modules described in the <i>Python Library Reference</i>.

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