Python 3.3.0 was released

Python is a remarkably powerful dynamic programming language that is used in a wide variety of application domains. Python is often compared to Tcl, Perl, Ruby, Scheme or Java. Some of its key distinguishing features include:

very clear, readable syntax
strong introspection capabilities
intuitive object orientation
natural expression of procedural code
full modularity, supporting hierarchical packages
exception-based error handling
very high level dynamic data types
extensive standard libraries and third party modules for virtually every task
extensions and modules easily written in C, C++ (or Java for Jython, or .NET languages for IronPython)
embeddable within applications as a scripting interface

Python is powerful... and fast

Fans of Python use the phrase "batteries included" to describe the standard library, which covers everything from asynchronous processing to zip files. The language itself is a flexible powerhouse that can handle practically any problem domain. Build your own web server in three lines of code. Build flexible data-driven code using Python's powerful and dynamic introspection capabilities and advanced language features such as meta-classes, duck typing and decorators.

Python lets you write the code you need, quickly. And, thanks to a highly optimized byte compiler and support libraries, Python code runs more than fast enough for most applications. The traditional implementation of CPython uses a bytecode virtual machine; PyPy supports just-in-time (JIT) compilation to machine code. Also, Jython and IronPython (see below) support JIT compilation on their respective virtual machine implementations.

Python plays well with others

Python can integrate with COM, .NET, and CORBA objects.

For Java libraries, use Jython, an implementation of Python for the Java Virtual Machine.

For .NET, try IronPython , Microsoft's new implementation of Python for .NET, or Python for .NET.

Python is also supported for the Internet Communications Engine (ICE) and many other integration technologies.

If you find something that Python cannot do, or if you need the performance advantage of low-level code, you can write extension modules in C or C++, or wrap existing code with SWIG or Boost.Python. Wrapped modules appear to your program exactly like native Python code. That's language integration made easy. You can also go the opposite route and embed Python in your own application, providing your users with a language they'll enjoy using.

Python runs everywhere

Python is available for all major operating systems: Windows, Linux/Unix, OS/2, Mac, Amiga, among others. There are even versions that run on .NET and the Java virtual machine. You'll be pleased to know that the same source code will run unchanged across all implementations.

Your favorite system isn't listed here? It may still support Python if there's a C compiler for it. Ask around onnews:comp.lang.python - or just try compiling Python yourself.

Python 3.3.0 was released on September 29th, 2012.

Python 3.3 includes a range of improvements of the 3.x series, as well as easier porting between 2.x and 3.x. Major new features in the 3.3 release series are:

PEP 380, syntax for delegating to a subgenerator (yield from)

PEP 393, flexible string representation (doing away with the distinction between "wide" and "narrow" Unicode builds)

A C implementation of the "decimal" module, with up to 120x speedup for decimal-heavy applications

The import system (__import__) is based on importlib by default

The new "lzma" module with LZMA/XZ support

PEP 397, a Python launcher for Windows

PEP 405, virtual environment support in core

PEP 420, namespace package support

PEP 3151, reworking the OS and IO exception hierarchy

PEP 3155, qualified name for classes and functions

PEP 409, suppressing exception context

PEP 414, explicit Unicode literals to help with porting