But don't get the wrong idea: "free" doesn't mean "unsupported." On the contrary,
the Python online community responds to user queries with a speed that most commercial
software help desks would do well to try to emulate. Moreover, because Python
comes with complete source code, it empowers developers, leading to the creation of
a large team of implementation experts. Although studying or changing a programming
language's implementation isn't everyone's idea of fun, it's comforting to know that
you can do so if you need to. You're not dependent on the whims of a commercial
vendor, because the ultimate documentation-source code-is at your disposal as a
last resort.
As mentioned earlier, Python development is performed by a community that largely
coordinates its efforts over the Internet. It consists of Python's original creator-Guido
van Rossum, the officially anointed Benevolent Dictator for Life (BDFL) of Python-
plus a supporting cast of thousands. Language changes must follow a formal enhancement
procedure and be scrutinized by both other developers and the BDFL. This tends
to make Python more conservative with changes than some other languages and systems.