Although Python started out as a hobby project named after Monty Python, it is now one of the most popular and widely used programming languages in the world. Besides web and software development, Python is used for data analysis, machine learning, and even design.
We’ll take a closer look at some of the ways you can use Python and why it’s such a popular and versatile programming language.
What is Python?
Python is an object-oriented (data-driven), highly efficient programming language (easier for people to understand). First launched in 1992, it is designed in such a way that it can be written and understood relatively intuitively. Thus, it is an ideal coding language for those who want to develop quickly.
Many of the world’s largest organizations are implementing Python in one form or another. NASA, Google, Netflix, Spotify and many others use this language to improve their services.
Why is Python so popular?
According to the TIOBE index, which measures the popularity of programming languages,
Python for February, 2023 is the most popular programming language in the world.
There are many reasons why Python is becoming ubiquitous, including:
What is Python used for? Clearly, Python is a popular and in-demand skill to learn. But what is Python programming used for?
Since Python is a stable, flexible and simple programming language, it is ideal for various machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) projects. In fact, Python is one of the favorite languages among data scientists and there are many libraries and packages available for Python machine learning and AI.
Like artificial intelligence and machine learning, data analytics is another field that is growing rapidly and uses Python programming. While we are creating more data than ever before, there is a need for those who can collect, use and organize the information.
Python for data science and analytics makes sense. The language is easy to learn, flexible and well supported, meaning it is relatively quick and easy to use for data analysis. When working with large amounts of information, this is useful for manipulating data and performing repetitive tasks.
Data visualization is another popular area of interest that is growing. Python is open source and provides a variety of graphics libraries with all the capabilities.
Whether you want to create a simple graphical representation or a more interactive plot, you can find a library that suits your needs, such as Pandas Visualization and Plotly.
You can program any program using Python. The language can be used to read and create file directories, create GUIs and APIs, etc. Be it blockchain programs, audio and video programs, or machine learning programs, you can create them all using Python.
Python is a great choice for web development. This is largely due to the fact that there are many Python web development frameworks to choose from, such as Django, Pyramid, and Flask. These frameworks have been used to create sites and services such as Spotify, Reddit, and Mozilla.
Thanks to the extensive libraries and modules that come with Python frameworks, features such as database access, content management, and data authorization are possible and easily accessible. Given its versatility, it’s no surprise that Python is so widely used in web development.
Although Python is far from the gaming industry, it has its uses in the industry. The programming language can be used to create simple games, which means it can be a useful tool for rapid prototype development. Similarly, some functions (such as creating a dialog tree) are possible in Python.
If you’re new to Python or game development, you can also learn how to create a text-based game in Python. By doing this, you can develop a variety of skills and improve your knowledge in different areas.
Python’s simple and elegant design has inspired the creation of new programming languages. Languages like Cobra, CoffeeScript, and Go use syntax similar to Python.
This fact means that Python is a useful gateway language. So, if you are completely new to programming, understanding Python can help you progress more easily in other areas of IT.
Python is increasingly used in the world of finance, often in areas such as quantitative and qualitative analysis. This can be a valuable tool for identifying asset price trends and forecasts, as well as automating workflows across multiple data sources.
As mentioned, Python is an ideal tool for working with large data sets, and there are many libraries available that help in compiling and processing the information. Thus, it is one of the most popular languages in the financial industry.
Another slightly surprising entry on our list of Python uses relates to search engine optimization (SEO). This is an area that often benefits from automation, which is of course possible thanks to Python. Whether it’s implementing changes across multiple pages or classifying keywords, Python can help.
New technologies such as natural language processing (NLP) are also likely to be relevant for those working in SEO. Python can be a powerful tool for developing these NLP skills and understanding how people search and how search engines return results.
Asking “what is Python used for?”, you probably didn’t expect the design to be listed. However, Python can be used to develop graphic design programs. Surprisingly, the language is used in a number of 2D imaging software such as Paint Shop Pro and Gimp.
Python is even used in 3D animation programs such as Lightwave, Blender, and Cinema 4D.