When counting indexes in Python, what index does counting start from?

In Python, counting indexes starts from 0. This means that the first element in a list, string, or any indexed collection is accessed using the index 0. For example, if you have a list like my_list = ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry'], the element 'apple' can be accessed using my_list[0], 'banana' with my_list[1], and 'cherry' with my_list[2]. This convention of starting from 0 is common in many programming languages and is referred to as zero-based indexing.

The choice of zero-based indexing allows for easier calculations in many algorithms, particularly when working with loops and offsets. It simplifies the formula often used in programming where the index can directly correspond to the position of data in memory. Understanding this concept is crucial for successfully navigating the data structures and algorithms in Python.