What Is Python Programming: A Simple Introduction

Python has become one of the most popular programming languages in recent years. Also, it’s used in everything from machine learning to building websites and software testing. It can be used by developers and non-developers alike.

Python is one of the most popular programming languages in the world. Has created everything from Netflix’s recommendation algorithm to the software that controls self-driving cars. Python is a general-purpose language, which means it’s designed to be used in a range of applications, including data science, software and web development, automation, and generally getting stuff done.

So let’s take a closer look at what Python is, what it can do, and how you can start learning it.

What is Python?

Python is a computer programming language often used to build websites and software, automate tasks, and conduct data analysis. Also, Python is a general-purpose language, meaning it can be used to create a variety of different programs and isn’t specialized for any specific problems.

This versatility, along with its beginner-friendliness, has made it one of the most-used programming languages today. A survey conducted by industry analyst firm RedMonk also found that it was the most popular programming language among developers in 2020.

What is Python used for?

Python is commonly used for developing websites and software, task automation, data analysis, and data visualization. Since it’s relatively easy to learn, Python has been adopted by many non-programmers, such as accountants and scientists, for a variety of everyday tasks, like organizing finances.

So let’s look at some of the common ways Python is used.

• Data analysis and machine learning
• Web development
• Automation or scripting
• Software testing and prototyping
• Daily task
• AI and machine learning
• Game development
• Language development

Data analysis and machine learning

Python has become a staple in data science, allowing data analysts and other professionals to use the language to conduct complex statistical calculations, create data visualizations, build machine learning algorithms, manipulate and analyze data, and complete other data-related tasks.

Python can also build a wide range of different data visualizations, like line and bar graphs, pie charts, histograms, and 3D plots. Python also has a number of libraries that enable coders to write programs for data analysis. Machine learning can be done more quickly and efficiently, using TensorFlow and Keras.

Web development

Python is often used to develop the back end of a website or application—the parts that a user doesn’t see. So Python’s role in web development can include sending data to and from servers, processing data and communicating with databases, URL routing, and ensuring security. In addition, Python offers several frameworks for web development. Commonly used ones include Django and Flask.

In Addition, some web development jobs that use Python include back-end engineers, full-stack engineers, Python developers, software engineers, and DevOps engineers.

Automation or scripting

Suppose you find yourself performing a task over and over again. You could work more efficiently by automating it with Python. Writing code used to build these automated processes is called scripting. ُSo, in the coding world, automation can be used to check for errors across multiple files, convert files, execute simple math, and remove duplicates in data.

Also, Python can even be used by relative beginners to automate simple tasks on the computer, such as renaming files, finding and downloading online content, or sending emails or texts at desired intervals.

Software testing and prototyping

In software development, Python can aid in tasks like build control, bug tracking, and testing. So with Python, software developers can automate testing for new products or features. Some Python tools used for software testing include Green and Requestium.

Daily task

Python isn’t only for programmers and data scientists. Learning Python can open new possibilities for those in less data-heavy professions, like journalists, small business owners, or social media marketers. Python can also enable non-programmers to simplify certain tasks in their lives. Here are just a few of the tasks you could automate with Python:

 

• Keep track of the stock market or crypto prices
• Send yourself a text reminder to carry an umbrella anytime it’s raining
• Update your grocery shopping list
• Renaming large batches of files
• Converting text files to spreadsheets
• Randomly assign chores to family members
• Fill out online forms automatically

And another important question is Why is Python so popular?

AI and machine learning 

Because Python is such a stable, flexible, and simple programming language, it’s perfect for various machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) projects. In fact, Python is among the favourite languages among data scientists, and there are many Python machine learning and AI libraries and packages available.

Game development 

Although far from an industry-standard in game development, Python does have its uses in the industry. It’s possible to create simple games using the programming language, which means it can be a useful tool for quickly developing a prototype. Similarly, certain functions (such as dialogue tree creation) are possible in Python.

If you’re new to either Python or game development, then you can also discover how to make a text-based game in Python. In doing so, you can work on a variety of skills and improve your knowledge in various areas.

Language development

The simple and elegant design of Python and its syntax have inspired the creation of new programming languages. Languages such as Cobra, CoffeeScript, and Go all use a similar syntax to Python.

This fact also means that Python is a useful gateway language. So, if you’re totally new to programming, understanding Python can help you branch out into other areas more easily.

Why is Python so popular?

Python is popular for a number of reasons. Here’s a deeper look at what makes it so versatile and easy to use for coders.

 

• It has a simple syntax that mimics natural language, so it’s easier to read and understand. This makes it quicker to build projects and faster to improve on them.

• It’s versatile. Python can be used for many different tasks, from web development to machine learning.

• It’s beginner-friendly, making it popular for entry-level coders.

• It’s open source, which means it’s free to use and distribute, even for commercial purposes.

• Python’s archive of modules and libraries—bundles of code that third-party users have created to expand Python’s capabilities—is vast and growing.

• Python has a large and active community that contributes to Python’s pool of modules and libraries, and acts as a helpful resource for other programmers. The vast support community means that if coders run into a stumbling block, finding a solution is relatively easy; somebody is bound to have run into the same problem before.

So let’s acquainted ourselves with some relevant Questions about Python programming

 Python 2 or Python 3?

Python 3 is considered more up-to-date and has overtaken Python 2 in popularity. JetBrains, a software development company, found that 93 percent of surveyed Python users worked with Python 3. Python 2 was sunsetted in January 2020, which means it will no longer be updated with bug fixes, security patches, or new features.

Who uses Python today?

Of the hundreds of programming languages out there, Python remains a popular choice among numerous companies and organizations. Some familiar names that use Python include Google, Facebook, Venmo, Spotify, Netflix, and Dropbox.

What types of jobs use Python?

Since Python is a general-purpose language, it’s used across a variety of fields and industries. These are just a few job titles that may use Python:

• Developer
• Data analyst
• Data scientist
• Ethical hacker/penetration tester
• Software engineer
• Data journalist
• Cloud architect
• QA engineer

Conclusion

Therefore, in this article, I explained what Python programming is and what Python is used for.

That concludes our look at what Python programming can be used for. Also, as you can see, there are many applications for this popular language, with a wide support network and a diverse range of libraries that can help.

There are many reasons why you might want to start learning Python. It’s a future-proof and in-demand skill that’s required across all kinds of industries. What’s more, we have a broad selection of Python courses that can help you either master the basics or develop some more specific skills.

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