A hobby programming project

A hobby programming project"

The circumstances in which Python was created are a bit puzzling. According to Guido van Rossum:

   "In December1989, I was looking for a "hobby" programming project that would keep me occupied during the week around Christmas. My office (...) would be closed, but I had a home computer, and not much else on my hands. I decided to write an interpreter for the new scripting language I had been thinking about lately: a descendant of ABC that would appeal to Unix/C hackers. I chose Python as a working title for the project, being a slightly irreverent mood (and a big fan of the Monty Python's Flying Circus)."
- Guido van Rossum

Python goals

in 1999, Guido van Rossum defined his goals for Python

• an easy and intuitive language just as powerful as those of major competitors
• open source, so anyone can contribute to it's development 
• code that is as understandable as plain English
• suitable for everyday tasks, allowing for short development times

About 20 years later, it is clear that all these intentions have been fulfilled. Some sources say that Python is the most popular programming language in the world, while others claim it's the second or third. 

Either way, it sstill occupies a high rank in the top ten of the PYPL PopularitY of Programming Language and the TIOBE Programming Community Index.

Python isn't a young language anymore. It is mature and trustworthy. It's not a one-hit wonder. It's a bright star in programming firmament, and time spent learning Python is a very good investment.