
Python is an in-demand, accessible programming language with an active, ever-growing community of users. For anyone looking to switch careers into the tech world through coding, Python is a great place to start. It’s relatively easy to learn and incredibly versatile, and it’s used in a variety of fields, from data science and machine learning to game design.
Python is a general-purpose programming language, which means that, unlike JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, it can be used in applications beyond web development. Though it’s been around for 30 years, it has recently become one of the most popular programming languages, and its popularity continues to grow.
Why learn Python? For starters, the language is an excellent place to begin if you’re new to coding. One of the biggest hurdles for aspiring coders is the daunting task of learning a new language that looks nothing like what they’re used to reading and writing. However, Python features English syntax and was designed to be concise and easy to read — all of which makes it more accessible to first-time coders than many other languages.
Python is also easy to learn because it is an interpreted programming language. This means that you can run each line of code once you have finished writing it, allowing you to immediately check it and make adjustments if needed — a big help to those who are still learning and a time-saver for coders everywhere.
Python is highly versatile. You can use it for both small and complex tasks, and it is used across many different industries — from its more common applications in data science and software engineering to environments like mobile app development, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. This multifaceted use is due to the wide array of Python libraries available (over 125,000, to be specific). Libraries are collections of pre-written code in a particular language that anyone can access, meaning that once you’ve learned the basics of Python, you’ll likely be able to understand and use a huge amount of code developed by other programmers.
Another important aspect of Python’s versatility is its ability to run with other programming languages. A few common examples of Python implementation with other languages are Jython (Python integrated with Java) and CPython (Python integrated with C). Lastly, Python offers cross-platform functionality, meaning that it will function properly whether you’re working with Windows, Linux, or macOS.
Python developer roles are in high demand, as many major companies — including DropBox, Netflix, and Facebook — use it. Google has even made its own Python style guide. Python developer jobs are also comparatively lucrative. According to Indeed*, Python developers earn an average salary of $108,391, which makes it the fourth-most lucrative programming language behind Ruby ($120,174), C++ ($114,000), and JavaScript ($111,623). Python developers also have the opportunity to earn a high salary with less experience, according to StackOverflow.
When you’re learning a new programming language — particularly after you’ve completed your bootcamp course or degree — you’ll want to feel confident that you have a community of programmers you can turn to with questions when an issue comes up. One major benefit of Python is its robust and supportive online community, as evidenced by the 1.5 Million GitHub repositories that make Python the platform’s second-largest community. Python also has its own network of robust community forums, where users can discuss everything from workflow to software development, and Python users often organize meetups around the world to build community and knowledge bases.
When it comes to Python’s popularity and growth rate, the numbers don’t lie. According to the PYPL PopularitY of Programming Language Index, Python is the most-searched programming language on the internet — and that doesn’t look like it will be changing any time soon. According to Stack Overflow, Python is also the fastest-growing programming language, and TIOBE gave it the 2020 Programming Language of the Year award as it gained popularity faster than any other language. Part of this acclaim is due to Python’s usefulness in the world of data science; as fields like machine learning, data modeling, and AI grow, so too does the demand for Python-related skills. All of this means that, if you’re looking for a new programming language to learn — or looking to transition into the field of programming — Python is a wise choice.
According to a survey from Kaggle, an online community for data scientists, Python is the field’s most-used programming language. In addition to Python’s time-saving libraries, the language’s ability to analyze large data sets very quickly and carry out repetitive tasks make its popularity more than warranted.
Since Python is such a flexible programming language, it can make it easier to build complex web utilities. Python’s various web frameworks are especially useful — like the popular Django, which can make building both back end and client-side functionality easier and faster. Even large companies use Python for web development; both Google and YouTube have used it extensively for many of their digital infrastructures.
Python is an excellent choice for anyone looking to get into app development. It’s an ideal language for prototyping because of its lower development time and effort. As with web development, app development is made easy by Python’s cross-platform abilities. Specifically, Python has recently become popular in the fast-growing sectors of blockchain app development and gaming app development thanks to its robust frameworks and real-time testing.
Global IT offers a certified course in Python Programming that can lead to many different career choices and elevate your earning potential. Contact us today for schedule a in-person or Zoom meeting with a Career Specialist at (248) 557-2480 or visit our website at www.gogitgo.com.