What is Python? – The Most Versatile Programming Language

If you’re not familiar, Python is a multi-purpose programming language that’s been around since the mid-90s.

Since then, it has steadily grown into one of the most popular programming languages worldwide.

In 2008, we saw the release of Python 3.0, the latest major version of the language.

And although many developers and businesses still use Python 2.0, the newer version comes with a few new features, and it’s definitely worth learning and using.

These days, Python is used by some of the biggest tech companies on the planet, including:

• Google
• Amazon
• Facebook and Meta
• Instagram
• Dropbox
• etc.

Bigger organizations often choose Python because of its multiple programming paradigms, including object-oriented functional programming, for example.

All in all, Python is robust, growing in popularity, and you can find plenty of beginner-level resources to start learning the language right away.

What can you use Python for ?

Ok, so Python is popular and powerful, check. But what can you use it for?

Just like any other programming language, Python is simply a tool for building something useful with code.

Hence, the language itself is just a means to an end.

So when you start learning your first programming language, you should be aware of what you can build with it.

Say you want to specialize in machine learning and artificial intelligence. To work in those fields, you need to pick the right programming language that supports those sorts of projects.

Similarly, if you want to become a web developer, you should choose your tools accordingly.

Luckily, Python doesn’t restrict you to just one or two fields you can work in.

Here are just a few things you can do with Python:

• Web applications and frameworks
• Game development
• Data analysis
• Machine learning and artificial intelligence
• GUI based desktop applications
• Enterprise and business applications

Hence, Python is a very versatile programming language you can use across a variety of different fields. This is, without a doubt, one of the best advantages of Python – which we’ll come back to in a minute.

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Advantages of Python: Why learn Python in 2022?

So far, you know that Python is a versatile and popular programming language you can use for a variety of different projects.

But then , what makes Python better than other languages?

Of course, your experience of learning Python will be different from everyone else’s.

However, there are a few general advantages Python has over some other languages.

Especially if you are new to coding and tech, keep reading. Python has a few significant benefits you will appreciate as you start building your first small projects.

Let’s look at 11 top advantages of Python and why it’s such an excellent tool to use for your coding projects.

1: Easy to learn

Python is considered to be one of the easiest programming languages to learn for beginners.

Choosing a language that’s quick to learn means you will spend less time troubleshooting your code and fixing bugs. Hence, you will have more time for actually learning how to code and create useful stuff.

And you know what?

Anyone can start working with Python. All it takes is some patience and a good amount of practice.

But since the code is so easy to read, it takes less time to get used to reading and writing programs with Python than with many other major programming languages.

2: Availability of support

When you learn to code, you are going to run into difficulties – which you will overcome!

Because no matter how good you are at learning new things, sometimes your code just doesn’t do what it’s supposed to.

How can you figure out how to solve a specific problem with Python when you’re just starting out?

One of the advantages of Python is that it’s so popular around the world.

For example, the TIOBE Index ranks programming languages based on the number of search engine hits.

The most recent TIOBE report indicates that Python has been rising in ranks. At the moment, it is the #1 most popular programming language worldwide:

Thus, there are thousands of others learning and using Python all around the planet. Whatever question you may have, chances are that someone else has already asked it before.

Hence, you may find a solution to your problem faster than you think, simply by typing it into Google in a matter of seconds.

3: Large global community

Speaking of how easy it is to find help for your Python projects, you can most often rely on the massive global community for help and support.

Since so many developers use Python, you can find solutions to a wide variety of problems quickly and easily.

Moreover, having a large pool of developers working with the language, you can easily network with other like-minded students or professional developers worldwide.

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4: In-demand skill in the job market

If you want to learn to code, you’re probably doing it – at least partly – because of the great career prospects in the long run.

And while money shouldn’t be your #1 motivator, it is a sweet little carrot that helps you keep going when things feel difficult.

Python was the most wanted language for the fifth year in a row. This means that developers who aren’t using Python yet say they want to learn it.

Whether its popularity will result in a decline in the average salary levels will remain to be seen. When more developers learn the language and are looking for work, the growing supply of skilled workforce can put downward pressure on average salaries.

But right now, it’s safe to say that Python is a powerful skill that opens new doors career-wise.

And considering you can learn it by yourself, the average Python developer salary of $96,890 in the U.S. is more than fair compensation for your efforts.

5: Extensive libraries

When you start building your first coding projects, you’ll most probably use at least one Python library to get things done faster.

Libraries are collections of Python code you can use for specific purposes.

And since most of your programs in a particular field will repeat at least some of your code, libraries help you avoid repeating yourself.

The Python standard library allows you to choose from a wide range of different modules according to what you need for your project. Each module lets you add a feature or functionality to your Python program without writing additional code.

For instance, let’s say two developers want to build a web application. They will use similar Python code snippets to create specific features for their dynamic web pages.

6: Powerful frameworks

To speed up your workflow, you can choose from several open-source Python frameworks, too.

For example, if you want to build a web application, you can easily save time and simplify your development process by using powerful Python web frameworks such as Django or Flask, for example. They contain ready-to-use Python code for standard web app functionalities, such as creating and managing user accounts.

Similarly, you can speed up your desktop GUI app development with Python frameworks and toolkits such as PyQT, PyJs, or PyGUI, for instance.

Hence, having access to popular Python frameworks will help you finish your coding projects faster. And faster development means you can take on more work or spend more time with friends and family.

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7: Works on any computer

If you want to start learning Python, you don’t need to worry about what computer and operating system you use.

Python can run on any machine, whether it’s Mac, Windows, or Linux. Also, this means that you can write and use Python code across different systems without making any changes to the code.

This is particularly practical if you work on a large-scale Python project together with other developers. It doesn’t matter if some of you use Mac and the others use Windows. Everyone can read, write, and run the same code files regardless of what OS they use.

8: Versatility

Depending on what types of projects you want to work on in the future, you need to choose the right programming language to work with.

Because the thing is: any language is simply a means to an end. It allows you to solve specific types of problems with code.

Hence, programmers usually need to learn different languages for different jobs. So if you want to get into software development, you would normally learn a different language than for game development, for example.

When it comes to what you can do with Python, you’re not nearly as restricted as with many other languages.

In short: one of the most significant advantages of Python is its versatility and flexibility.

9: Productivity and workflow speed

As your coding skills improve, you are going to build more challenging projects for your portfolio website or as a Python developer.

Now, when it comes to large-scale projects, not all programming languages are created equal.

When you have an entire team of developers and designers working on the same project, the language needs to support the workflow as a whole.

Again, Python does an excellent job. It has a clean object-oriented design and strong integration and text processing features, meaning that it’s easy and quick to work with.

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10: Fast prototype development

So far, we know that Python is easy to learn and quick to work with.

Say you want to create a web app, and you need to get your minimum viable product (MVP) up and running as fast as possible. Python is a quick tool you can use to get a simple web application on its feet in a matter of days.

In fact, when I started learning to code, my first big project was to build a small web application using Python and Django.

Even though I was entirely new to coding, I managed to create a super simple web app much quicker than I expected.

11: Free and open-source

Last but not least, Python is 100% free to use. You don’t need a particular subscription or a custom-built platform to start building projects with it.

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