Python, as a versatile and widely-adopted programming language, boasts an extensive vocabulary that encompasses keywords, built-in functions, modules, and commonly used libraries. Determining the exact number of “commonly used” words in Python can be somewhat subjective, as it depends on the context of usage, the complexity of projects, and individual programming styles. However, we can attempt to estimate this number by breaking down the components that contribute to Python’s lexicon.
Keywords: Python has a relatively small set of keywords, which are reserved words that have special meanings. As of Python 3.8, there are 35 keywords, including ‘if’, ‘else’, ‘for’, ‘while’, ‘class’, ‘def’, etc. These form the basis of control structures and object-oriented programming in Python.
Built-in Functions: Python also provides numerous built-in functions that are always available and do not require any import statements. These functions, such as print(), len(), type(), and range(), among others, significantly enhance the expressiveness of the language. The number of built-in functions in Python 3.8 stands at around 68, but this can vary slightly between versions.
Modules and Libraries: Python’s standard library is vast, encompassing modules for various purposes like file I/O, network programming, data compression, and more. Estimating the number of commonly used modules or functions within these modules is challenging due to the wide array of applications Python supports. However, it’s safe to say that the standard library itself contains hundreds of modules, each with its own set of functions and classes.
External Libraries: Beyond the standard library, Python’s ecosystem is rich with third-party libraries like NumPy, Pandas, TensorFlow, and Django, each introducing its own set of commonly used terms and functionalities. The number of such terms is virtually limitless, given the ever-growing nature of Python’s package index (PyPI).
In conclusion, while it’s impractical to pinpoint an exact number of “commonly used” words in Python due to its extensive and evolving nature, we can summarize that Python’s vocabulary includes a small set of keywords, a manageable number of built-in functions, a vast standard library, and an almost infinite array of terms from external libraries. Mastering Python involves not just learning its syntax but also familiarizing oneself with this rich lexicon, which is constantly expanding as the language and its ecosystem evolve.
[tags]
Python, programming language, keywords, built-in functions, modules, libraries, vocabulary, programming lexicon.
