Python, a versatile computer programming language, was developed by Guido van Rossum in 1991. Since its inception all those years ago, Python has remained a popular coding language for several reasons.
It is text-based, making it relatively simple to read, write, and understand. For this reason, many coding professionals consider it the ideal first programming language for beginners. Additionally, Python offers a growing community of users and libraries of pre-written code so people can always access assistance when using the language. Because of its popularity and the ever-growing job opportunities in the field, those with skills in Python can feel secure in the fact that careers will be in-demand for many years to come.
Simplicity and Flexibility
Learning a coding language can understandably feel like a daunting task; it truly is like learning any other written language. There are very specific rules to follow, a new vocabulary to familiarize yourself with, and a whole new syntactical structure to learn. Python, however, was designed to be different. It is written in English and follows many of the same rules. This makes for a much quicker learning process and can help quickly build confidence for new programmers.
Python is also an incredibly flexible language to work with. Many programming languages are described as being “domain-specific,” meaning they are designed to carry out one specific task or only for certain applications. Python is more comprehensive than most other languages. It can be applied to a vast number of industries such as web development, artificial intelligence, data science, and machine learning. In fact, many major corporations rely on Python for their systems including Netflix, Google, and even NASA! To put it simply, there isn’t much that Python isn’t capable of doing.
Large Libraries and Supportive Communities
Since Python has been available for over thirty years, there is a seemingly endless amount of tutorials and how-to guides out there for beginners. Even more seasoned developers often take advantage of these resources when troubleshooting a particular problem they’ve never seen before. Python also boasts a large and active community of users that can help each other when someone needs support. This can be especially helpful when you’re running up against a deadline; a bigger number of people means that someone is more likely to be available to help in a timely manner. Python is also an open-source language, meaning it is free for anybody to use and regularly being updated to maximize performance.
A higher number of users means that there are many robust libraries available for Python. In the programming world, a library is a collection of related packages of code that can be used to automate or simplify common tasks without compromising the quality of your work. Saving time in this way allows you to invest more time learning new skills or perfecting more complex aspects of your design. Some of the most popular libraries include Pandas, which is generally used for data science, TensorFlow and NumPy for machine learning, and Statsmodels for performing statistical analysis.
Careers That Use Python
Another major explanation for the continued popularity of Python is that many of the world’s fastest growing and most lucrative careers rely on the language to accomplish daily tasks; the US Department of Labor specifically estimates that over half a million new jobs will be created in this area over the next decade. As the world becomes more digitized, writing code is no longer limited to computers. The diversifying applications of Python will understandably lead to an increase in job opportunities that require this skill set.
Python is one of the leading programming languages when it comes to web development. These professionals spend their days building and maintaining various websites, and this career is growing in demand at a rapid pace. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that web developers currently earn an average annual salary of around $77,200. Aside from Python, you’ll need to learn more about graphic design and CSS frameworks if this career path appeals to you.
Data science is another common career that requires extensive Python knowledge, and it’s also one of the most profitable: depending on location and industry, data scientists can make an average annual salary of nearly $100,000. In this career, you’ll be responsible for helping businesses translate large amounts of raw data into solutions they may not have otherwise been able to discover. For example, data science is being used in the healthcare industry to personalize medical care by understanding the impact our DNA has on the effectiveness of certain treatments. Data science is also exciting because it has applications in virtually every industry.
The area of Artificial Intelligence (AI) utilizes Python as well. These fields are growing in demand since businesses are producing larger amounts of data that can no longer be processed efficiently by humans alone. For example, AI is currently applied by the Department of Defense to identify potential threats to civilians both on the ground and in cyberspace. Artificial Intelligence Engineers are offered a wide range of salaries, but they are typically over $100,000 annually.
Learn Python with Career Centers
If you want to learn more about improving your Python skills, you can check out the Python courses at Career Centers. The school offers a twelve-hour Intro to Python Programming course, which was designed specifically for beginners. If you’re looking for something a little more intensive, you may want to consider taking the Python Programming Bootcamp. Beginners are also welcome in this program, but it covers more than an introductory course would.
For a fully comprehensive experience in Python, you can take the Python Developer Certificate. This 90-hour course is offered on a full-time or part-time schedule and gives you all of the fundamental skills needed to become a well-rounded Python developer. Finally, for those who’d like to learn multiple skills in addition to Python, Career Centers offers a Data Science Certificate, which combines multiple Python classes and bootcamps such as SQL, Machine Learning, and Automation.