A few practical considerations, far away from theoretical aspects. Mainly for non ascii, understand non native English speakers.
Python is an "ascii oriented product". Platform. On Windows, the solely version which works harmoniously with the system is Py 2.7 in a byte string mode (ie non unicode). Unicode. Sorry, but Python just becomes a no-go. The great strength is(are) the Python interactive interpreter(s). It makes learning this language a game. jmf (Not teaching computer stuff, but regulary confrontated with students and/or potential users). -- https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
