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Why you should learn Python

Python is already around 30 years old, but has been back in the higher ranks of the list of the most popular programming languages on Stackoverflow and GitHub for some time now. And with good reason.

The programming language commonly associated with the snake is more popular than ever, despite its age. For those who are still not convinced, this is the text.

Automates trivial tasks

With the emergence of new fields of application such as data science and machine learning, Python is back on the rise. Even during its first peak in the nineties, scripting was the classic use case for the language. If you are interested in scripting, the book Automate the Boring Stuff with Python is recommended.

Quick start and simple syntax

Python’s syntax is similar to the English language, so the programming language is relatively easy to learn even for coding novices. The indentations inherent in the syntax also make Python code clear and thus easy to read. And: with a certain basic understanding, a lot can be done with it. If you already know other programming languages, you will have acquired another valuable skill comparably fast. You can find suitable tutorials for example on Codecademy or Udemy.

For comparison: To output a simple “Hey!” with Java, you need the following code:

public class Helloxy {
public static void main(String[] args) {
System.out.println(“Hey!”);
}
}

In Python the whole thing goes along with it:

print(“Hey!”)

More questions?

Data Science

Actually one of the most important reasons why one should learn Python. Data-Scientists are in demand, well paid and working in super-interesting jobs. Data visualization, predictive modeling, programming skills, anyone? The professional field is very versatile and especially interesting for scientists with knowledge in statistics. The same applies to:
machine learning

The field of machine learning has been growing rapidly for a few years now and Python is the go-to programming language for writing algorithms for artificial intelligence.

Resources

Python has a comprehensive standard library and numerous other libraries. Due to the large user base and because the language has been around for so long, there is a wealth of resources you can draw on to solve your coding problems – over 125,000 external libraries are countless reasons why Python has become an indispensable part of application areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, game development or cloud configuration. For example, NumPy for data science, Astropy for space research, Tensorflow for machine learning or PyGame for game development. In web development, too, language is now playing an important role despite its somewhat jerky compatibility with mobile devices – and provides the backend for YouTube, Instagram or even Reddit.

Community

The large community is another reason why you should use Python. Python is open source, which means that you can theoretically access everything related to the language. The large and vibrant user base means that for almost all your questions there will be a suitable forum and someone who can help you.

Summary

With Python you can build simple scripts into complex applications. In many cases, the whole thing is relatively fast, secure and often with fewer lines of code than in other programming languages. The readable style and the resulting fast editability make development with Python comparatively easy and efficient. The popularity of the language in the Stackoverflow Developer Survey suggests that many developers even enjoy working with it. And it opens up interesting new fields of activity for learners who are serious about it.