Short Bytes: Why is Python now the most popular programming language taught in high-schools, computer science, and engineering schools? Python’s high-level approach and English-like syntax make it easy to learn, easy to write, and easy to extend. Python is the new de facto learning language around the world and here is why.
Python was introduced to the world 25 years ago by Guido Van Rossum who had, at that point, been incubating it for several years. Van Rossum has been dubbed Python’s Benevolent Dictator for Life by the community. Since then, Python has grown from a cool toy, to a tool for academics, and all the way up to a world-class programming language. Python has not stopped growing as a language and as a community and that is only a part of why you should learn it to give your career a boost.
Not A Programmer? Not A Problem
Python has been used to teach people programming from middle school to college and university. Some programming languages can be cryptic and intimidating, but Python can take you from the ground up with its simplistic form and English-like syntax. Python also includes an interactive interpreter that makes it easy to play with the language and test run scripts and bits of code as you learn.
Use It Anywhere
Python is cross-platform, meaning it can be used almost anywhere. It has excellent support on all major platforms, and some mobile platforms. Using Python, you can bring your creations to more platforms with less work. In addition, Python plays well with other languages, bindings, and wrappers can be found for many libraries and frameworks written in other languages, which greatly extends the already full-featured Python Standard Library.
Automate Your Tasks
Python is very versatile and can be used in place of a shell scripting language, albeit with much more powerful language features. Python is one of the strongest scripting languages for system administration and automation. Learning Python can give you more time to work on the things that matter.
Prototype Your Project
Python’s syntax makes it very easy to write, as a result Python is often used for prototyping projects quickly as a proof of concept. This is a major advantage when you can spend a fraction of the time typing code and spend more time designing your application.
It’s Easy!
By spending only a couple nights a week learning you can forge a new facet on your resume and open doors to new career paths.
Python is a fast and easy way to develop a new skill that can give you that competitive edge that will boost your career.
How many fossBytes readers know Python? Has it changed your career? Let us know in the comments below.
