Python, one of the world’s most popular programming languages, 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 is designed for use in a variety of applications, including data science, software and web development, automation and generally getting things done.
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 create websites and software, automate tasks, and perform data analysis. python is a general purpose language, which means that it can be used to create a variety of different programs and is not specialized for any specific problem. this versatility, coupled with its ease of use for beginners, has made it one of the most widely used programming languages today. a survey by industry analyst firm redmonk found it to be the second most popular programming language among developers in 2021 [1].
what is python used for?
python is commonly used for website and software development, task automation, data analysis, and data visualization. Because it is relatively easy to learn, Python has been adopted by many non-programmers, such as accountants and scientists, for a variety of everyday tasks, such as organizing finances.
“Writing programs is a very creative and rewarding activity,” says Charles R Severance, an instructor at the University of Michigan and Coursera, in his book Python for Everyone. “You can write programs for many reasons, ranging from making a living to solving a hard data analysis problem, to having fun, to helping someone else solve a problem.”
what can you do with python? some things include:
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data analytics and machine learning
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web development
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automation or scripting
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software testing and prototyping
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everyday tasks
here’s a closer look at some of these common ways python is used.
data analysis and machine learning
python has become a staple in data science, allowing data analysts and other professionals to use the language to perform complex statistical calculations, create data visualizations, create machine learning algorithms, manipulate and analyze data and complete other data-related tasks.
python can create a wide variety of different data visualizations, such as bar and line charts, pie charts, histograms, and 3d plots. python also has a number of libraries that allow programmers to write programs for data analysis and machine learning more quickly and efficiently, such as tensorflow and keras.
web development
python is often used to develop the back-end of a website or an application, the parts that the user doesn’t see. Python’s role in web development may include sending data to and from servers, processing data and communicating with databases, URL routing, and ensuring security. python offers several frameworks for web development. commonly used ones include django and flask.
some web development jobs that use python include backend engineers, full stack engineers, python developers, software engineers, and devops engineers.
read more: how to become a web developer
automation or scripting
If you find yourself performing a task repeatedly, you might be able to work more efficiently by automating it with python. the scripting code used to build these automated processes is called scripting. In the world of coding, automation can be used to check multiple files for errors, convert files, perform simple mathematical operations, and remove duplicates in data.
python can even be used by beginners to automate simple tasks on the computer, such as renaming files, searching and downloading content online, or sending emails or text messages at desired intervals.
software testing and prototyping
In software development, Python can help with tasks such as build control, bug tracking, and testing. With Python, software developers can automate testing of new products or features. some python tools used for software testing include green and requestium.
daily tasks
python is not just for programmers and data scientists. Learning Python can open up new possibilities for those in data-less professions, such as journalists, small business owners, or social media marketers. python can also allow non-programmers to simplify certain tasks in their lives. these are just some of the tasks you can automate with python:
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track stock market or cryptocurrency prices
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send yourself a text reminder to bring an umbrella whenever it rains
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update your shopping list
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rename large batches of files
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converting text files to spreadsheets
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randomly assign tasks to family members
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fill in online forms automatically
why is python so popular?
python is popular for several reasons. here’s a deeper look at what makes it so versatile and easy for programmers to use.
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has a simple syntax that mimics natural language, making it easier to read and understand. this makes it faster to create projects and improve them.
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it is versatile. python can be used for many different tasks, from web development to machine learning.
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is beginner friendly, making it popular with beginning programmers.
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is open source, which means that it is free to use and distribute, even for commercial purposes.
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python’s archive of modules and libraries (packages of code created by external users to expand python’s capabilities) is huge and growing.
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python has a large and active community that contributes to the pool of python modules and libraries, and acts as a useful resource for other programmers. the extensive support community means that if coders run into a snag, finding a solution is relatively easy; surely someone has encountered the same problem before.
ready to start?
For those just starting out, Google’s IT Help Desk Professional Certificate prepares course participants for an entry-level position by teaching help desk tasks such as computer assembly, wireless networking, software installation, and more. and customer service.
frequently asked questions (faq)
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