What is Python?

Python is rapidly growing in popularity, brain share, and number of worldwide programmers. Why are Google, Yahoo, NASA, Disney, Lucasfilm/ILM, Canonical, and RedHat using it? Users of Plone, Zope, Mailman, Django, Pyramid, etc., know what Python is. What is this programming language all about and what can you do with it? Totally informal, this is an intro “slide deck” followed by a chance for current users to share their experiences and newbies to ask questions. We are particularly interested in hearing from newbies as well as old-timers who also have experience w/Perl, Java, PHP, C++, Ruby. This BOF would especially be useful for those wanting to get a clue about what Python is since there is no beginners’ tutorial this year.