# Python2 vs Python3 in a small and concise way!

Python is one of the most popular programming languages, and it has evolved over time to meet the changing needs of developers. Python 2 and Python 3 are two major versions of Python that are currently in use. In this article, we will compare Python 2 and Python 3 in terms of features, performance, syntax, and compatibility.

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1679809095312/ca3db922-145e-4329-9633-79272d894a48.jpeg align="center")

### Features:

Python 2 was first released in 2000, and it has been widely used by developers for more than a decade. Python 3, on the other hand, was released in 2008 and is the most recent version of Python. Python 3 introduced several new features that are not available in Python 2, including:

1. Unicode support: Python 3 supports Unicode natively, while Python 2 uses ASCII by default.
    
2. Print function: In Python 2, print is a statement, while in Python 3, print is a function.
    
3. Division operator: In Python 3, the division operator (/) returns a float by default, while in Python 2, it returns an integer.
    
4. Exception handling: Python 3 introduced a new syntax for exception handling, which is more consistent and easier to use.
    
5. Improved libraries: Python 3 comes with several improved libraries, including asyncio for asynchronous programming, pathlib for file handling, and config parser for configuration file handling.
    

### Performance:

Python 3 is generally faster than Python 2, especially when it comes to handling large data sets or processing-intensive tasks. This is because Python 3 has several performance optimizations, including:

1. Improved memory management: Python 3 uses a new memory management system that is more efficient and reduces memory usage.
    
2. Faster I/O operations: Python 3 uses a new I/O library that is faster and more efficient than the one used in Python 2.
    
3. Improved garbage collection: Python 3 has an improved garbage collection system that reduces memory usage and improves performance.
    

### Syntax:

Python 3 introduced several syntax changes that may affect code written in Python 2. Some of the notable syntax changes in Python 3 include:

1. The print statement: As mentioned earlier, the print statement in Python 2 is replaced by the print function in Python 3.
    
2. Integer division: As mentioned earlier, the division operator in Python 3 returns a float by default, while in Python 2, it returns an integer.
    
3. Unicode strings: In Python 3, all strings are Unicode by default, while in Python 2, you need to prefix Unicode strings with u.
    

### Compatibility:

One of the biggest differences between Python 2 and Python 3 is their compatibility. Python 3 introduced several syntax changes and new features that are not backward compatible with Python 2. This means that code written in Python 2 may not work in Python 3 without modification. Some of the key compatibility issues include:

1. Print statements: Code that uses the print statement in Python 2 will need to be updated to use the print function in Python 3.
    
2. Integer division: Code that relies on integer division may need to be updated to handle float division in Python 3.
    
3. Libraries: Some libraries may not be available or may not work in Python 3, as they were designed for Python 2.
    

### Conclusion:

In summary, Python 2 and Python 3 are two major versions of Python that differ in terms of features, performance, syntax, and compatibility. Python 3 introduced several new features and performance optimizations that make it a more attractive option for developers. However, Python 2 is still widely used, and some legacy code may require Python 2 to run. Ultimately, the choice between Python 2 and Python 3 will depend on the specific needs of your project and the compatibility requirements of yours.

I hope this helps, you!!

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