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Python relies on modules, that is, self-contained programs which define a variety
of functions and data types, that you can call in order to do tasks beyond the scope
of the basic
core language by using the import command. For example, the core distribution
of python contains modules for
processing files, accessing your computer's operating system and the internet, writing
CGI scripts (which handle communicating with pages displayed in web browsers),
string handling and many other tasks. Optional modules, available on the Python
web site (http://www.python.org), can be used to create graphical user
interfaces, communicate with data bases, process image files, and so on. This structure
makes it easy to get started with python, learning specific skills only as you need
them, as well as making python run more efficiently by not always including every
capability in every program.
Phil Spector
2003-11-12