Python P0: Why Python?

The language that does it all

I jumped into this Python tutorial series without explaining why one might want to learn Python in the first place. Python is a high-level, interpreted programming language that was first released in 1991 by Guido van Rossum. It is named after Monty Python, the British comedy group, which explains why many of its tutorials and examples use humorous references.

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Python is designed to be easy to learn and read, with a syntax that emphasizes readability and reduces the cost of program maintenance. Its simple and elegant syntax has made it popular among beginners, and it is often used as a first language for programming education. As a matter of fact, it was used in my introductory course in college.

One of the key features of Python is its vast ecosystem of libraries and frameworks. Python has a rich set of libraries for almost any task, ranging from web development to scientific computing, data analysis, machine learning, and more. Some of the most popular libraries in Python include:

  • NumPy: a library for numerical computing in Python
  • pandas: a library for data manipulation and analysis
  • matplotlib: a library for data visualization
  • Django: a popular web framework for building web applications
  • Flask: a lightweight web framework for building smaller web applications
  • TensorFlow: a library for machine learning and artificial intelligence

Python is also used in many fields outside of software development. It is a popular language for data science and scientific computing, as well as for finance, healthcare, and education.

Another reason for Python’s popularity is its portability. Python code can run on many platforms, including Windows, Mac OS, and Linux, making it a flexible language that can be used in many different environments. We’re not going to worry about any of this since we’ll be running everything in Docker.

Python has increased in popularity in recent years. According to various surveys and reports, Python is one of the most popular programming languages worldwide. For example, the TIOBE Index, which measures the popularity of programming languages based on search engine data, consistently ranks Python among the top three most popular programming languages in the world.

Python’s popularity has also been boosted by the growth of machine learning and artificial intelligence. Python has become the de facto language for many machine learning libraries and frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, and scikit-learn. This has led to an increase in demand for Python developers with expertise in machine learning and data science.

Finally, Python has a large and active community of developers who contribute to its development and share their knowledge through forums, blogs, and conferences. The Python community is known for its inclusivity and friendliness, making it a welcoming environment for new developers.

Overall, Python has been consistently increasing in popularity over the years, and its growth shows no signs of slowing down.

Python Series

Continue your Python Learning.

Python P0: Why Python?

The language that does it all

Python P0: Why Python?

In part zero of our Python basics series, explore why Python has become the language of choice for web apps, data science, automation, and AI. Unpack its readable syntax, massive ecosystem, and thriving community, and learn where it fits in your tech stack.

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