Everything You Need to Know About Python

Looking for a brief introduction to the world of Python without the usual, overwhelming jargon? This blog is for you.

The sections below contain only the most important things beginners need to know about the language, and nothing they do not. By the end, you will have a good idea about Python and why it is everywhere.

Introduction to Python

Python is a programming language that holds a lot of potential. It is also one of the most popular and easiest to learn for someone just getting into coding.

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What Even is Python?

Python is a general-purpose, high-level programming language that is easy to use and understand due to its likeness to English.

From pretty simple tasks like automating your Excel sheets to complex ones like building Machine Learning models and data analysis, Python is used in most digital domains you can think of.

It is often called "glue language" as it can let disparate code interoperate. If you have applications or program domains that can not talk to each other directly, Python can connect them.

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Python: The Origins

• Python was created by Dutch programmer Guido Van Rossum.
• It began as a hobby project — Rossum started working on Python in the late 1980s as something to keep him occupied during Christmas.
• Rossum used the syntax of the ABC programming language (and a few other good features) to develop Python. He also fixed a number of issues with it to make Python a better scripting language.
• Python's first stable version was released as Python 0.9.0 in 1991.

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Popularity of Python

Since 2003, Python has consistently ranked in the top ten most popular programming languages in the TIOBE Programming community index.

Python is THE most popular programming language as of January 2024.

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Top Companies Using Python

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Python for Career

As Python's popularity and adoption continue to grow, knowing the language opens doors to a myriad of career paths, exciting opportunities, and competitive salaries.

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Is Python Good for Beginners?

Yes, Python is a great language to learn for beginners. Here are three reasons that make Python perfect for novices:

1. Simple syntax

Python has a simple, easy-to-learn syntax, which is similar to English.

For instance, the code to print "Hello, World!" in Python is:

print("Hello, World!")

Since it is readable and easy to understand, beginners can focus on building their programming logic instead of struggling with syntax.

2. Easier to debug

Python is an interpreted language, i.e., the code is executed line by line. It simplifies debugging, i.e., identifying and removing errors, as the debugger shows one error at a time instead of a list of errors.

3. Ample learning resources

Python has ample learning resources like tutorials, courses, and coding platforms, including both paid and free resources. Beginners can easily find materials that suit their learning preferences.

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What is Python used for?

Python's versatility makes it a great tool for different fields, such as

Data Science and Data Analysis

Python allows data scientists and analysts to gain insights from data through analysis and visualization.

• Libraries Used: NumPy, Matplotlib, TensorFlow, Pandas, and SciPy.

Web Scraping

Python is used in web scraping to automate the tedious task of crawling the web for data.

• Libraries Used: Beautiful Soup, Scrapy, and Selenium.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

AI engineers use Python to develop algorithms, implement models, and work with data. ML Engineers use Python to build and train ML models.

• Libraries Used: scikit-learn, PyTorch, openCV, and TensorFlow.

Web Development

Web developers use Python to write server-side (backend) logic like handling HTTP requests and responses and managing data storage retrieval.

• Frameworks Used: Django, Flask, and Bottle.

Game Development

Game developers use Python to create add-on game functionalities, script various parts of video games, and create 3D graphics.

• Libraries Used: PyGame, Turtle, and Panda3D.

Enterprise Applications

Python is used in enterprise application development. Enterprise-grade apps built with Python include leading technology stacks like Netflix, Microsoft, and Spotify.

• Frameworks Used: Django, Flask, and Pyramid.

Internet of Things (IoT)

Python is used to program IoT devices, including sensors, actuators, and microcontrollers.

• Libraries Used: Sockets and MQTT.

Automation

We can use Python to automate customer engagement using chatbots and day-to-day activities like Excel sheets, emails, payments, social media posts, and more.

• Libraries Used: Langchain, Watchdog, Twilio, and ChatterBot.

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Careers in Python

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Why Python?

1. Beginner-friendly

Python is one of the easiest programming languages for beginners because:

• It has a simple syntax
• It is less verbose
• It is easier to debug
• Enables dynamic typing, i.e., programmers don't need to explicitly declare the variable type before using it.

2. Extensive Application

Python is used in diverse fields, from Data Science and software development to AI and ML, because it runs well on different platforms and can integrate various programming languages.

3. Open source and Free

Python is a free and open-source programming language. It is freely usable and distributable, even for commercial use.

4. Rich library support

Python has large standard libraries with pre-written code for various tasks that save programmers time and effort.

5. Automation capabilities

Python is used to write system scripts to create simple programs that automate repetitive tasks and increase productivity.

6. Well-supported

Python's huge, supportive online community means help is always around the corner when you need it.

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Why Not Python?

While Python is versatile, it is not suitable for all kinds of projects and career choices. Here are a few scenarios where Python might not be a great fit.

1. When speed is paramount

Python is an interpreted language, i.e., code is interpreted line by line, which makes it slower than compiled languages like C++ and Java. If speed is a vital part of your project, such as system-level programming, graphics programming, and mobile app development, Python is not the right language for you.

2. When memory is limited

Although dynamic typing makes coding more straightforward, it also makes debugging and maintaining code difficult as the program grows larger.

Dynamic typing also leads to higher memory usage because of the flexibility of the data types. This makes Python a bad choice for memory-intensive tasks like high-performance computing and 3D rendering.

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How to Learn Python

You have a few routes you can take when learning Python on your own.

There are free Python tutorials on the internet, both written and in video format. Interactive courses that make you write code in real-time are also an option, and so are bootcamps where you go through a grueling period of career-focused training.

While all of them are good options, we recommend you choose a method that provides you with a hands-on learning experience, like our Python Basics course. After all, programming is all about writing code yourself.

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Best Way to Learn Python

If you are learning Python on your own, here is the best way to do it:

We break down all of these (and more) into actionable steps for you in a separate blog, Best Way to Learn Python [A Complete Guide]. Give it a read if you want to make the most of your study efforts.

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Tips to Learn Python Programming

Here are a few tips to help you maximize your progress and stay focused during your Python journey:

1. Choose a focus

Before you start learning Python, think of your end goal. It could be personal, career-related, or something else entirely.

Deciding on an area you want to focus on will streamline your learning experience and make staying motivated easier.

2. Code every day

Coding is all about hands-on practice and repetition. So, if you code every day, even if for only 30 minutes, that is better than coding for five hours one day and remaining idle the next four.

Writing code every day not only reinforces your knowledge but also develops muscle memory, which is essential to becoming a proficient programmer.

3. Go Interactive

It is best to go for interactive courses with quizzes and coding challenges in between lessons. These help you learn faster — they improve knowledge retention and develop muscle memory.

4. Work on real projects

Working on real projects gives you hands-on experience and teaches you how coding works in the real world. Start with simple projects that reinforce the basics and gradually take on more complex ones.

5. Join a community

Coding communities are a great source of help when you inevitably come across a problem that you cannot solve on your own. Also, you will find people with similar experiences, which will keep you going and teach you wisdom that only comes with experience.

You can find and join Python communities on Reddit (r/Python), Stack Overflow, and Discord.

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