Why Python’s Creator Still Codes: Insights from Guido van Rossum’s Journey

Python is a widely known programming language that has become the de‑facto standard for web development, web crawling, and AI.

This piece introduces Python’s creator, Guido van Rossum, often called the “father of Python”.

Guido van Rossum was born on March 1, 1956, in the Netherlands and invented the Python language.

Influenced by the emerging field of computer science and the rise of personal computing, his interest in computers and programming was sparked early.

He studied mathematics and computer science at the University of Amsterdam, earning a degree in both subjects. During his university years he encountered many programming languages but often found them lacking in ease of use and readability, which later inspired him to design a language that overcame those limitations.

He later worked at CNRI, Google, and then spent a long stint at Dropbox, where he worked solely as a programmer rather than a manager.

“I just enjoy programming work, focusing on my own tasks, and I don’t like management. I once managed a small team but didn’t achieve good results; writing code feels lighter and more comfortable than managing. Compared with past experiences, I prefer immersive work rather than teaching others.”

In 2020 he announced retirement, but after less than a year returned to the industry as a Distinguished Engineer at Microsoft, aiming to make Python even more user‑friendly.

The article uses this example to show that many foreign programmers can work well into their 60s and 70s because they truly love coding.

It also mentions a 74‑year‑old American programmer, Gene D'Angelo, who has been coding for 57 years and continues to work actively.

In contrast, the “35‑year‑old phenomenon” in China is discussed, attributing it to two main reasons: foreign work environments allow engineers to code for many years without age‑based dismissal, while many Chinese companies use age as a criterion for elimination due to intense low‑level competition; and a lack of genuine passion for coding among many domestic programmers, who view the job merely as a means to earn a living.

The article concludes that if you truly love coding, a programming career can be rewarding and long‑lasting worldwide; otherwise, the industry may not be the right fit.

Editor: Listening to the World’s Fish

Related Reading:

“Python, the new BASIC!”

From CTO to CTPO: How to Play Dual Roles in Tech Management?

Elon Musk’s Time Management, Daily Life, and Life Lessons