Finally, no description of Python would be complete with mentioning that, to many people, Python represents a philosophy for writing code. Principles of clarity and readability are part of what it means to write correct or pythonic code. It's not always clear what pythonic means in all circumstances, and sometimes there may be no single correct
way to write something. But the fact that the Python community is concerned about issues like simplicity, readability, and explicitness means that Python code tends to be more…well…beautiful!

Many of Python's principles are embodied in the so-called Zen of Python. The "zen" isn't a hard-and-fast set of rules, but rather a set of guidelines or touchstones to keep in mind when coding. When you find yourself trying to decide between several courses of action, these principles can often give you a nudge in the right direction. We'll be highlighting elements from the "Zen of Python" throughout this book.