The future of Python is bright, but is it still a worthwhile endeavor for coders?
Whether you’re just starting your coding career, or you’re looking to learn a new language and new skills, it’s best to choose something that has a bright future. In other words, you want to choose a language that offers many opportunities.
Will the language sustain your current and future projects? Are there plenty of job prospects?
The good news is that most languages, from C++ to Python, offer many opportunities for gainful employment. You’d be hard-pressed to find a language that’s not beneficial to learn.
But if you’re interested in Python, it also helps to look at the language, specifically, to understand what’s in store.
Is the Future of Python Promising?
The short answer is, yes, Python is a good language of choice and it does have a bright future.
Launched in 1991, Python has come a long way since then. Its application and usage have continued to grow, and today it is considered an advantageous language — especially for beginners!
For websites and software applications, Python is not the top language in use, but it does hold a large market share. As with most languages, adoption tends to ebb and flow, but it has continued to remain one of the more widely used languages for web development. Many engineers consider it to be the de facto choice for their projects.
Of course, none of this means the language is future-proof, and there are many other languages out there, some new and some old. What does the future of Python look like?
What Is Python?
You probably know that Python is a computer programming language. What you may not know is that it’s a general-purpose language, which means developers can use it to create just about anything. It is interpreted, high-level, and object-oriented.
Web and app development are some of the major uses for the language, but it can also be used for scripting. Module and packaging options mean you can develop frameworks to use across several projects — so you don’t necessarily have to recode the fundamentals every time you start a new project.
Both the standard library and the interpreter are free to use, which makes it attractive to beginners. Not to mention it’s easy to learn and there are a lot of free guides and resources available for those who want to skill up at their own pace.
It’s a cross-platform language, too, which means Python applications can run on a wide variety of platforms and devices. And there are many tools to repackage and release Python applications across ecosystems like Windows, Linux, etc.
Companies Using Python
There are some big names using Python, whether for applications or minor tasks. Some examples include Google, Reddit, YouTube, Disney, Instagram, Yahoo, Dropbox, Spotify, Pinterest, and even NASA.
While this information doesn’t guarantee that you will land a job with one of these companies after learning Python, it does help to show there are many opportunities available.
The Future of Python: Promising Applications
Outside of web and application development, Python is also used for game development, network programming, and beyond. Perhaps one of the most promising uses, however, is how it’s applied to data science, data analysis, and machine learning.
AI and machine learning applications are quickly becoming a go-to for many companies. They enable more advanced automation and higher levels of efficiency. These technologies alone help to secure the future of the language, as well as future employment for Python developers.
Where Can You Learn Python?
You can learn Python online, thanks to beginner courses and tutorials scattered all over the web. Places like Udemy and Codecademy offer traditional lecture-style courses.
If you have no prior coding experience, it’s best to start with the fundamentals. Then, you can move on to intermediate and advanced topics.
Wherever you start, or end up, know that with Python experience, there’s no limit to what you can do!
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.