Python is a programming language that can be used to build web applications, and websites, automate tasks and analyse big data. It is what is known as a ‘generalised programming language’ which means it wasn’t specifically built to do any one thing and therefore is often applied to a variety of problems.
In this article, we are going to explore what it is, and other common questions you might have as someone looking to learn more about coding.
Why does everyone use Python?
Python is considered one of the easier programming languages to learn due to:
- How easy it is to understand its functions due to its simple syntax
- How close it is to English to write
It is also very powerful due to it being able to be applied to multiple different uses. For companies, this means that a Python developer is more likely to be easier to find and hire, as well as be more versatile once in the team than a developer of a more niche language. For developers, this means that there is a wider range of employment opportunities to apply their skills, and they often find their skills transferable between employment sectors.
Python is also considered a fantastic language to get started with if you are interested in developing your skills later on to learn other languages, as many of the functions and theory translate.
For these reasons, Python is very satisfying to learn as you get to see the results of your study relatively quickly compared to learning to program in other - perhaps more difficult or niche - programming languages.
What does learning Python do for my career?
Python is the most sought-after programming language across the board, taking into account the number of skilled engineers in the field, courses available and third-party vendors, and is significantly increasing in popularity.
This is because the ability to program in Python opens up a wide variety of positions for your career. People with skills in Python have been employed as data analysts and data scientists but also in more creative positions such as game development.
As one of the top most commonly used and referenced coding languages, it is also the most widely understood and supported. This means that the ability to code in Python on your CV will not only be something that hiring managers and employers understand, but also actively look for when considering candidates for different positions.
What is Python used for in the real world?
Python is a programming language that can and is directly being used for the following things:
- Web development
- Finance and trading
- System automation and administration
- Computer graphics
- Game development
- Security and penetration testing
- General and application-specific scripting
- Mapping and geography (GIS software)
Programmers at companies such as Google, Netflix and Meta use Python to make the platforms their customers interact with - ones we’re pretty sure you are likely to know about - work. For example, Instagram (owned by Meta) is a photo sharing social media platform that is built on top of a web framework which is written in Python.
These are only a few examples of names you may have heard of. Due to its versatility as a programming language and relative ease to grow your service, it is clear that it is a favourite programming language across businesses of a wide range of sizes and industries from retail to healthcare to tech giants.
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Sources:
- Tiobe Index, https://www.tiobe.com/tiobe-index/, Tiobe (April, 2023)
- StackFlow 2021 survey, https://insights.stackoverflow.com/survey/2021
- ‘NASA, Google, FB, Netflix – What Do They Have In Common?’, https://thelead.io/data-science/companies-that-uses-python/ , The Lead (May 2022)
