Difference between Python 2 and Python 3

In this tutorial, we will learn the differences between two versions of python, that is, python version 2 and python version 3.

Some basic differences include-

• Python 2 is the older version of python, whereas python 3 is the newer version of python.
• The syntax of Python 2 is comparatively more difficult to comprehend, and Python 3 is easier to comprehend.
• Guidelines of Ordering comparisons of Python 2 are more difficult than Python 3.

Now, we will see some major differences existing between these two based on certain aspects.

1. Way of Printing
2. Implicit str type
3. Iteration function
4. Error Handling methods

Let us start studying each one of the above in detail.

Way of Printing

Python 2 and Python 3 have different methods of printing.

In python 2, a print statement is used.

However, it doesn’t support the print function that is print().

For example – print “Hello Javatpoint”

print “Hello people”

Explanation: This figure demonstrates how to print in Python version 2

Explanation: This figure demonstrates the output of print statement in python 2

In python 3, the print() function is used.

For example – print(“Hello javatpoint”)

print(“Hello people”)

Explanation: This figure demonstrates how to print in Python version 3

Explanation: This figure demonstrates the output of the print function in Python version 3

Implicit str type

Python automatically converts a smaller data type into a larger one, and that is known as typecasting.

In Python 2, the implicit str type is an American standard for information interchange (ASCII Code). In addition to it, UNICODE is also supported in python.

Explanation: This figure is to demonstrate the implicit type being used in python 2

Explanation: This figure shows the output. Here, the byte is the same as str in python version 2

Explanation: This figure is to demonstrate the implicit type (Unicode) being used in python 2

Explanation: This figure shows the output. Here, the Unicode and str are different in python version 2

In Python 3, the implicit str type is Universal Character Encoding that is (UNICODE).

Explanation: This figure is to demonstrate the implicit type being used in python 3

Explanation: This figure shows the output. Here, the byte and str are different in python version 3

Explanation: This figure is to demonstrate the implicit type being used in python 3

Explanation: This figure shows the output. Here, the str and Unicode are the same in python version 3.

Iteration functions

These are the two functions available in python for iteration in the python FOR loop.

In python 2, the xrange() function is used to return an object whereas

In python 3, the range() function is used to return a list. xrange() is not supported here. It now does the same work as done by the xrange() function in python 2.

Explanation: This figure demonstrates the use of xrange in python version 2

Explanation: This figure shows the output of the xrange function used in python 2.

Here, the output comes in a single row because of the use of a comma after the print statement.

Explanation: This figure also demonstrates the use of xrange in python version 2

Explanation: This figure shows the output of the xrange function used in python 2.

Here, the output comes in a single column as no comma is used after the print statement.

Explanation: This figure demonstrates the use of the range function in python version 2.

Explanation: This figure shows the output of the range function used in python 3.

Here, the output comes in a single column. However, the use of a comma after the print statement doesn’t play any role in the structure of the output.

Ways of Handling Errors

Both versions of python have got their ways of handling errors.

In python 3, no special keyword is required whereas, in python 2, the “as” keyword is required.

Explanation: This figure demonstrates the use of the way of handling errors in python version 2

Explanation: This figure shows the output of the above code. Here no special keyword other than try, except is used.

Explanation: This figure demonstrates the use of the way of handling errors in python version 3

Explanation: This figure shows the output of the above code. Here in Python version 3, a special keyword as has been used to handle errors.

Difference Between Python 2 and Python 3: