Is Python the Right Language for You?
The 22nd Edition of the State of the Developer Nation report, which contains trends from a survey conducted in Q1 2022, ranks Python as the second most widely used and adopted programming language, after JavaScript, with 15.7 million users. The figure represents an increase of 4.4 million users from 11.3 million in Q3 2021, the most significant rise of the various languages sampled in the report. This growth is attributed to the rise of data science (DS) and machine learning (ML), as over 70% of DS and ML developers report using Python. In addition to DS and ML, Python is utilized in other use cases that we have detailed herein.
What is Python
First released in the early 1990s, Python is a high-level, general-purpose programming language famed for its easy readability. This language has been used to create popular websites and products, including Instagram’s backend, Google, Spotify, Netflix, and more. But, of course, the language is not only the preserve of products with a user base that goes beyond several hundred million users; it can be deployed to create simple tools.For instance, you can use Python and the web scraping libraries, such as Python Requests library and Beautiful Soup, to create an in-house web scraping tool. And this is just one example of the myriad uses of Python.
Features of Python Programming Language
Python has the following features:1. Easy to read and codePython uses a syntax that has been likened to the English language. This characteristic makes it easy to read and code. In fact, you can easily tell what function the code is designed to perform by simply glancing at the lines of code. Little wonder then that Python is the third most popular language among learners. On the other hand, C++ is the most difficult language to learn.2. Easy to debugPython makes it easy to identify and correct errors and mistakes, particularly once you can understand how to interpret the language’s error traces.3. Open source and freeThe Python programming language is freely available for use and download from the official website.4. Object-oriented languageAs an object-oriented programming language, Python uses the concept of objects, which contain fields (data) and behavior/procedures that can modify the data to represent elements of a problem.5. High-level languagePython is a high-level language. This means it is not tied to a system architecture such as x86 or ARM. As such, you can write Python code as well as run it on any device or computer.6. Extensive developer communityPython has an extensive developer community with more than 15 million users globally. This community underlines the fact that the language is mature. These users have likely contributed to forums or written resources to help learners understand the language or debug their code. In contrast, Go or Golang, which was publicly released in 2012, is still maturing and does not have an extensive developer community.7. Large standard libraryBy some accounts, there are over 137,000 Python libraries. A standard library contains functions, constants, multiple language definitions, and commonly used commands that are designed to serve a specific function. For instance, the Python requests library contains commands and functions that send HTTP/HTTPS requests.8. Support for multiprocessingPython has a multiprocessing package that, when included in a code and executed, prompts the system to run multiple processes in parallel. Multiprocessing speeds up processes by utilizing multiple processor cores or threads.9. Extensible and integrated languageYou can write Python code in C or C++ language. In fact, you can use SWIG to build a natural Python interface for your C or C++ code. In addition, you can easily integrate Python with these two languages.10. Graphical User Interface (GUI) supportPython modules such as Tk in Python, wxPython, PyQt5, and PyQt4 enable you to create GUI-based apps with Python.11. PortabilityYou can run Python code on any platform or operating system. For instance, if you had written a script on a Windows computer, you can run it on computers that use other operating systems like macOS and Linux.
Uses of Python
Python is used in the following instances:1.It is used in web development to create server-side web applications (backend)2. Python connects database systems and can automatically read and modify files3. It can be used for production-ready software development and deployment as well as rapid prototyping (system scripting)4. This programming language can be used to a create machine learning and artificial intelligence solutions5. It can be used to handle big data and execute complex mathematical calculations6. Python can be used to create web scrapers
Conclusion
If you are contemplating including Python in your tech stack, it is important to consider whether the features appeal to your needs. Also, it is essential to consider the tools you want to create with Python (look at the use case).Click here for more information