Explain the difference between Python 2 and Python 3.

This article explains the key differences between Python 2 and Python 3, why it matters for learners, and how these versions impact your code. …

Updated August 26, 2023

This article explains the key differences between Python 2 and Python 3, why it matters for learners, and how these versions impact your code.

Explain the Difference Between Python 2 and Python 3.

Python has been a beloved language for years, known for its readability and versatility. But if you’re starting your Python journey, you might encounter mentions of both Python 2 and Python 3. This can be confusing! So, what exactly is the difference?

Simply put, Python 3 is the current, actively supported version of the language. Think of it as an upgrade with significant improvements and changes over Python 2.

Python 2 reached its end-of-life in January 2020. This means no further updates or security patches are released for it.

While some legacy code might still be written in Python 2, learning Python 3 is essential for anyone starting out.

Key Differences

Here’s a breakdown of some crucial differences:

Print Function: In Python 2, print is a statement:
```
print "Hello, world!" 
```
In Python 3, it’s a function:
```
print("Hello, world!")
```
Integer Division: Python 2 uses classic division, where dividing two integers results in an integer (truncating the decimal part):
```
print 5 / 2  # Output: 2
```
Python 3 uses “true” division, returning a float:
```
print(5 / 2) # Output: 2.5
```
Unicode Support: Python 3 handles Unicode characters (like emojis and special symbols from different languages) natively. In Python 2, you need to explicitly declare strings as Unicode.
Other Changes: There are many other smaller changes and improvements in Python 3, including better exception handling, improved type hinting, and the introduction of new modules and features.

Why This Matters for Learning Python

Learning Python 3 means:

Future-Proofing Your Skills: Python 3 is the standard and will continue to evolve with new features and improvements.
Accessing More Resources: Most tutorials, documentation, and online communities focus on Python 3.
Avoiding Compatibility Issues: Writing code in Python 3 eliminates potential problems when working with other libraries and tools that are also built for Python 3.

Step-by-Step: Checking Your Python Version

To see which version of Python you have installed, open a terminal or command prompt and type:

python --version

python3 --version

If you need to install Python 3, download it from the official website (https://www.python.org/) and follow the installation instructions for your operating system.

Explain the difference between Python 2 and Python 3.