The first question that comes to mind is, what exactly is Python? The answer to that question is that Python is a high-level language used for general-purpose programming. This program was created by Guido van Rossum and was first released for public use in 1991. Python has a unique design philosophy that emphasizes code readability using significant whitespace. Also, there are multiple use of Python in mechanical engineering.
What are the features of the Python programming language?
Listed below are a few essential features of the Python programming language, these are:
- Readable: Unlike other programming languages, Python is a relatively easy language to read and interpret.
- Easy to learn: Python is an expressive and high-level programming language. It implies that the language is going to be pretty easy to understand.
- Open source: as the title suggests, Python is an Open Source based programming language.
- Extensive standard library: This platform comes equipped with a fully stocked sizeable standard library, which contains many handy codes and functions the user can use and adapt while coding.
- Free: As stated, Python programming software is free to download and use, which is a huge benefit compared to other programming languages. Direct competition costs a lot of money compared to Python, which is free.
- Supports exception handling: An exception is an event that occurs during the execution of a program and causes a hindrance to the smooth flow of the program. Python has a handy exception-handling function which means one can write fewer error leaden codes and allows one to test multiple scenarios that can cause exceptions along the line.
- Advanced features: Python tends to support generators and list comprehensions.
- Automatic memory management: Python has another helpful feature called automated memory management, which implies that the memory is regularly wiped and freed automatically. So, in the end, one needn’t bother clearing the memory manually.
Python for mechanical engineers:
The ideal choice for a programming language for any mechanical engineer entirely depends upon their field of implementation. For instance:
Mechatronics and Arduino enthusiasts tend to go for C, the standard for any processor-level programming.
Python otherwise excels at rapid prototyping, fluid mechanics, robotics and automation, etc.
Advantages:
It has many functionalities and multiple libraries to support mathematics and analytics.
It tends to use lesser code input, which makes it a comparatively more straightforward language to learn and master.
Programming software such as MATLAB is pretty expensive, which gives Python, a free-to-use software, a considerable advantage.
Python also has in-built Linux kernels, which is helpful for programming on boards that use tiny Linux without any troubles.
As a mechanical engineer, Python is the best option of them all. That is because mechanical engineers tend to use simulation software like Abaqus, and pairing that with Python can ease the creator’s simulation and quickly write programs that go along with Abaqus very well.
Conclusion
And that brings us to the end of the details for this topic on Python data structures. I sincerely hope that my findings were helpful and aided you in making the right decision.