The annual Florida Python Challenge is Aug. 9-18. Hunters hope to catch and kill as many of the invasive snakes as possible for cash prizes.

Python programming: Microsoft's latest beginners' course looks at developing for NASA projects Microsoft and NASA offer some ideas about how you could apply Python for space exploration.

SEE: Programming languages: Python's new developer in residence and their 'make-it-or-break-it' role ESA flagged two challenges in what it calls called Mission Zero and Mission Space Lab.

Because Python is an interpreted language, IDLE allows you to try out each line of the code you are writing and add it to your program as you get different sections working.

The number of Python Challenge participants has fluctuated through the years including a high of nearly 1,600 in 2013. Meet the 2025 winner, Taylor Stanberry.