The “Python library” contains several different kinds of
components.
It contains data types that would normally be considered part of
the “core” of a language, such as numbers and lists. For these
types, the Python language core defines the form of literals and
places some constraints on their semantics, but does not fully
define the semantics. (On the other hand, the language core does
define syntactic properties like the spelling and priorities of
operators.)
The library also contains built-in functions and exceptions --
objects that can be used by all Python code without the need of an
<keyword>import</keyword> statement. Some of these are
defined by the core language, but many are not essential for the
core semantics and are only described here.
The bulk of the library, however, consists of a collection of
modules. There are many ways to dissect this collection. Some
modules are written in C and built in to the Python interpreter;
others are written in Python and imported in source form. Some
modules provide interfaces that are highly specific to Python, like
printing a stack trace; some provide interfaces that are specific
to particular operating systems, such as access to specific
hardware; others provide interfaces that are specific to a
particular application domain, like the World Wide Web. Some
modules are available in all versions and ports of Python; others
are only available when the underlying system supports or requires
them; yet others are available only when a particular configuration
option was chosen at the time when Python was compiled and
installed.
This manual is organized “from the inside out:” it first
describes the built-in data types, then the built-in functions and
exceptions, and finally the modules, grouped in chapters of related
modules. The ordering of the chapters as well as the ordering of
the modules within each chapter is roughly from most relevant to
least important.
This means that if you start reading this manual from the start,
and skip to the next chapter when you get bored, you will get a
reasonable overview of the available modules and application areas
that are supported by the Python library. Of course, you don't
have to read it like a novel -- you can also browse the
table of contents (in front of the manual), or look for a specific
function, module or term in the index (in the back). And finally,
if you enjoy learning about random subjects, you choose a random
page number (see module random) and read a section or two.
Regardless of the order in which you read the sections of this
manual, it helps to start with chapter as the remainder of the manual assumes familiarity
with this material.
Let the show begin!