Although it’s not the newest, most exciting programming language available for developers today, Python continues to rank as the top choice of language across the board. Its popularity hasn’t wavered since its introduction over three decades ago and keeps growing, with the gap between Python’s usage and other languages bigger than ever. The question that many developers find themselves asking, however, is “Why Python?”
What is Python?
Python is a high-level, object-oriented, interpreted programming language developed by Guido van Rossum during his research at the National Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science in the Netherlands. He created it to act as a super easy programming language to both read and use, with the first version released to the public in 1991.
Featuring dynamic semantics, this general-purpose language offers high-level built-in data structures in combination with dynamic binding and dynamic typing. These features make it a go-to choice for Rapid Application Development and for connecting existing components together as a “glue language.” Developers choose Python because of its simple, easy-to-learn syntax and extensive support for libraries and frameworks. By emphasizing readability, this language is actually usable by both new devs and seasoned professionals.
Python’s cult following isn’t specific to a single domain. Its robust nature extends from diverse applications and web development to data analysis and scientific computing. Its flexible nature also transcends traditional language boundaries, allowing for seamless integrations with other technologies and languages. Moreover, Python's adaptability has made it a popular choice for incorporating emerging software solutions, enabling developers to stay ahead of technological advancements.
As an open-source tool, the Python online community is vibrant and active and continues enriching the tech ecosystem with further innovations and helpful resources. From building extensive web apps to creating intricate algorithms, Python is the most used programming language because of its user-friendly, versatile nature.
Is Python the Most Useful Programming Language?
There is no single way to determine the “most useful” programming language today, as this depends on context and application. However, Python is absolutely one of the most useful languages, indicated by its widespread adoption across software technologies and sectors and its versatility across domains.
Python brings simplicity and readability to complicated development tasks, serving as a robust tool for all kinds of applications and business sectors. Many of the biggest names in tech and beyond use Python in their products, including Uber, Twilio, Goldman Sachs, Netflix, Google, Facebook, Instagram, and more. While other languages excel in specific niches, Python’s adaptability makes it a go-to choice for many different applications. From new developers working on a personal project to tech giants releasing apps with millions of users, Python remains one of the most useful languages available for developers today.
Why Is Python So Popular, and Why Does It Matter?
Python deserves its widespread popularity in the modern development world for various reasons.
Ease of Learning and Use - Python is easy to learn and use, even for those without development experience. Its simplified English-adjacent syntax flattens the learning curve and makes it a much more instinctive language. There are also many different online courses, tutorials, and coding schools to choose from to learn it. After grasping the basics, new devs can build basic Python programs in minutes. Writing code in Python is simple and faster to implement than other languages like JavaScript.
Highly Versatile—The list of use cases for Python is nearly neverending. Web and software developers use it to connect the front and back ends of websites, send information to and from servers, and manage databases. Data scientists and Machine Learning experts use Python to visualize data in many different ways and employ libraries to manage ML projects. It's also helpful in scripting and automating tasks, statistical analysis, software prototyping and testing, and beyond.
Frameworks and Libraries - As a free language, there are thousands of useful libraries, resources, packages, and frameworks available online to make coding smoother and easier. Some of the most notable Python frameworks and libraries include Django, NumPy, SciPy, Matplotlib, and BeautifulSoup. Devs can even use the Django framework to develop an entire website.
Advanced Automation Capabilities - Python’s extensive modules and libraries alleviate the need for spending extensive amounts of time and effort when writing automation scripts. In fact, it's actually considered the industry standard for automation. The vast range of tools and modules available in Python coding help even novice devs employ experienced degrees of automation.
Internet of Things Compatability - The IoT is one of the hottest technological trends of today. As a robust network of linked technologies and devices, it allows devices to communicate between each other and the cloud. Coding functionalities and ensuring security in the IoT, however, is rather challenging. Python and its libraries for the IoT allow devs to control communication between the network. This makes sending and receiving data much easier and more secure.
Active Online Community - As of February 2024, there are over 8 million Python developers worldwide, outnumbering any other programming language. This enormous community sticks together online by offering support through forums, community projects, and other resources. A strong online community is a great resource for developers in need of problem-solving assistance, tips and tricks, and support. It’s also backed by corporate support through the Python Software Foundation, which fosters and assists with the expansive online Python community and the advancements of open-source tech.
If you are curious about how to choose the right programming language, such as Java, read here to discover what Java is used for and gain valuable insights into its powerful capabilities.
What You Need to Know About Python
Although Python is a great starting language for developers, they do need to know a few key aspects before jumping into a project.
Performance Optimization Techniques - Python excels in readability and simplicity, but optimizing performance is always a good idea in coding. Performance optimization techniques like caching, JIT compilation, and profiling enhance the efficiency of resources and execution speeds, especially in applications with intense computational requirements.
Security Best Practices - Adhering to security practices specific to Python helps developers protect sensitive data. Best practices in Python coding include utilizing secure coding practices, using input validations, and dependency management. Implementing these security measures helps protect the integrity of Python applications.
Static Typing and Type Annotations - Thanks to type annotations and tools, Python supports static typing. This not only enhances code clarity but also enables enhanced IDE support for testing and code navigation.
Parallelism and Concurrency Tools - Python evolved with advancements in parallelism and concurrency to provide devs with helpful features for parallel execution and multitasking. Understanding these tools, like asyncio, empowers devs to make their applications more performant and scalable.
Orchestration and Containerization - These tools help make it easier to deploy and manage complex Python applications. Orchestration tools enable the arrangement of distributed systems, while containerization platforms enable the building of containerized.
To expand your options further, it is essential to understand the pros and cons of Java. It offers excellent performance and portability and gives you more resources compared to Python.
Python Statistics
Python isn’t actually named after a slithering snake. Guido van Rossum actually named the language after BBC’s Monty Python’s Flying Circus with the goal of giving the language a short, unique name.
As of 2021, a study showed that 52% of respondents use Python for both personal and work, 29% use it for educational, personal, or side projects, and 19% use it exclusively for work.
NASA uses Python for data analysis purposes with the James Webb Space Telescope.
Statista found that nearly 40% of hiring respondents require Python as a skill when hiring a new developer.
The average annual salary for a Python developer in the United States is approximately $124,000, according to Indeed. Los Angeles is the city with the highest annual salary of $160,000 annually for Python devs.
Jalasoft’s Python Services
It’s safe to say that Python’s popularity level isn’t coming down any time soon, making hiring Python developers a need for businesses looking to create software, apps, and other technologies. Instead of going through the traditional hiring process, many top companies choose to partner with Jalasoft for all of their Python needs. Jalasoft offers staff augmentation services, dedicated teams, and/or full project outsourcing to help companies accomplish their Python development goals with ease.
Our Python services include:
Web app development
Data Science and Analytics
Python API Development and Integration
Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Solutions
Cloud-Based Python Application Development
IoT Application Development
Prototyping and MVP Development
Python Enterprise Solutions
Migration to Python
Python Refactoring
Hybrid Python Programming
Data Manipulation and Analysis
Natural Language Processing (NLP)
Jalasoft strives to provide services and solutions for hiring companies without extra complications and extended timelines. Our teams include experienced developers, testers, project managers, UX/UI experts, quality assurance engineers, and more to help businesses achieve success with every Python project. You can reach out to the Jalasoft team today to learn more about our extensive Python development projects.
