As one of the most popular programming languages out there, many people want to learn Python. But how do you go about getting started? In this guide, we explore everything you need to know to begin your learning journey, including a step-by-step guide and learning plan and some of the most useful resources to help you succeed. What is Python? Python is a high-level, interpreted programming language created by Guido van Rossum and first released in 1991. It is designed with an emphasis on code readability, and its syntax allows programmers to express concepts in fewer lines of code than would be possible in languages such as C++ or Java. Python supports multiple programming paradigms, including procedural, object-oriented, and functional programming. In simpler terms, this means it’s flexible and allows you to write code in different ways, whether that's like giving the computer a to-do list (procedural), creating digital models of things or concepts (object-oriented), or treating your code like a math problem (functional).