Python is a programming language that is loved by developers around the world. It is often recommended as a first language for beginners. In this article we will tell in detail about Python: what it is used for, where it is used, we will describe features, advantages and disadvantages of this programming language.
What the Python programming language is good for
Python is an actively developing scripting language that is used to solve a large volume of the most diverse problems and tasks. Python is useful in creating computer and mobile applications, it is used to work with large amounts of information, in developing web-sites and other various projects, use in machine learning. This programming language is used by large well-known corporations such as Spotify and Amazon (for example, for data analysis and creation of algorithm recommendations), YouTube and even Walt Disney. Thus, Python has found its place in various fields – with its help it is possible to solve many tasks of different complexity.
Creation history
The development of Python began in the late eighties of the twentieth century. The distributed operating system “Amoeba” needed an extensible scripting language, and a Dutch researcher Guido van Rossum began to write such a language in his spare time. Already in the year one thousand nine hundred and ninety-one, Guido published the first code. The name of the language, despite its consonance with the name of a family of non-venomous snakes, came from another. The developer named the language after the famous British TV comedy show of the seventies, Monty Python’s Flying Circus.
The possibilities of the language
As we wrote before, Python is used in various spheres. Developers from all over the world have come to love this programming language for its many features.
- Object-oriented programming (OOP). Implementation of OOP in Python, although specific compared to other object-oriented languages, but at the same time is quite well thought out.
- Generalized and functional programming.
- Modules and packages. Software (software) in Python is arranged in the form of modules that can be assembled into packages.
- Introspection. This is the ability to query the type and structure of an object at runtime. In Python, you can find out all the information about its internal structure for any object.
- Exception handling, iterators and generators.
- Runtime context management.
- Decorators, regular expressions.
Advantages of Python
- The language is characterized by a logical syntax, so that the source code of programs written “in Python” is easy to read and understand.
- Another advantage of this programming language is its relative ease. It is considered the most suitable for beginners: to develop simple programs can be learned after a couple of days of study.
- A large Internet community. If a developer encounters questions and difficulties, he can always ask advice from colleagues, which greatly speeds up the solution of problems.
- Flexibility and scalability. Python allows developers to adapt high-level application logic, making it easy to extend complex applications as needed.
- Development “in Python” is faster than in most other languages.
- Python is an interpreted programming language. This means that it is a plain text file before it runs. Accordingly, you can program on almost all platforms.
Disadvantages of Python
- Speed. High-performance projects in pure Python will be difficult to write. This requires the use of other languages.
- Security, which is provided by the Python language memory model, negates most of the possible CPU optimizations.
These are 2 major disadvantages of the Python programming language: its low performance and insufficient static code analysis capabilities. These disadvantages are related, and solving the latter problem will automatically open the door to fixing the former.
Where to use Python
Python can be used in most areas, examples of which are listed below.
- Software applications. With the help of this programming language you can develop applications on the computer.
- Mobile applications. Mobile development “in Python” is in demand all over the world – for the programming of the server part of these applications often choose Python.
- Games. Many computer games are developed in whole or in part in Python. For example, it was used in the creation of the popular game World of Tanks.
- Embedded systems. You can create embedded systems in Python for different devices. For example, to control the ATMs.
- Scripts. In Python you can write plugins and scripts for the already implemented programs to create new modules and automate processes.
- Machine Learning. It is used to write algorithms for Machine Learning programs and many analytical applications.
- Testing. Python is heavily used for test automation.
Learning Python: Where to Start
First, study the tutorial on the official Python website. It contains a lot of useful information, but a beginner may not understand some points. That’s why we recommend this method to start learning for specialists with programming experience in other languages.
Second, take courses. Start with the free video lessons on YouTube. A lot of experts share their knowledge and simple lessons for free. For in-depth study you can also buy paid courses that last several months, and at the end you will have access to an internship in a real company.
Third, practice more. Start writing simple programs. Theory and practice are completely different things in programming.
Thus, Python is great for beginners. With this language you can implement almost any project. We hope that our article was useful for you. If you have any questions, ask them in the comments – the experts will try to answer them as quickly as possible.