Zen of Python

The Zen of Python output in a terminal

The Zen of Python is a collection of 19 "guiding principles" for writing computer programs that influence the design of the Python programming language.[1] Python code that aligns with these principles is often referred to as "Pythonic".[2]

Software engineer Tim Peters wrote this set of principles and posted it on the Python mailing list in 1999.[3] Peters' list left open a 20th principle "for Guido to fill in", referring to Guido van Rossum, the original author of the Python language. The vacancy for a 20th principle has not been filled.

Peters' Zen of Python was included as entry number 20 in the language's official Python Enhancement Proposals and was released into the public domain.[4] It is also included as an Easter egg in the Python interpreter, where it can be displayed by entering import this.[1][4][a]

In May 2020, Barry Warsaw (developer of GNU Mailman) wrote the lyrics to music.[5][6]

  1. ^ a b Reitz, Kenneth (2011–2019). "Code Style". The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Python. § Zen of Python. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Peters, Tim (June 4, 1999). "The Python Way". Python Software Foundation. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  4. ^ a b Peters, Tim (August 19, 2004). "PEP 20—The Zen of Python". Python Software Foundation. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  5. ^ Warsaw, Barry (10 May 2020). "The Zen of Python". We Fear Change. Archived from the original on 2020-06-03.
  6. ^ Warsaw, Barry (23 May 2020). The Zen of Python. YouTube. The Zbwedicon. Archived from the original on 2021-12-11. Archived 2020-06-03 at the Wayback Machine


Cite error: There are <ref group=lower-alpha> tags or {{efn}} templates on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} template or {{notelist}} template (see the help page).