If you’re thinking about learning to code in 2024, the first question you’ll face is, “Which programming language should I start with?” And the answer is always Python. It has been so for a while and will likely continue for as long as I can think.
Alright, alright. Let’s be realistic here. The answer can (and will) vary depending on your goals. However, it is true that Python consistently tops the list for newbies—and for good reason.
Python is the best high-level programming language for beginners. Unlike other languages, it allows you to write and execute code without a complex setup or syntax. It’s versatile, widely used across various industries like data science, web development, and automation; and hosts several powerful libraries and frameworks like Pandas and Flask.
It’s not just a tool for building websites or automating tasks; it’s a language powering data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, web development, automation, and so much more.
In a tech (or STEM) landscape where career flexibility and employability matter more than ever, learning Python opens up a world of opportunities.
1. It’s easy to learn and understand.
Learning a new language that looks nothing like orthographic languages (English, Spanish, etc.) can be one of the biggest obstacles when learning to code.
Python, however, has an English syntax. In other words, the structure of statements follows the grammatical arrangement of words as in an English sentence. It was designed to be concise and easy to read, making it more accessible to first-time coders than many other coding languages.
As such, Python was built to be accessible to beginners. In fact, as any code is read more often than written, Python language’s design is easier to read than some of the other coding languages.
As you can see from the example, Python’s syntax is straightforward and easy to understand, making it a great language if you’ve never coded. It uses English-like words and has fewer complex syntax rules than other languages.
You can accomplish a specific task with fewer lines of code than other languages using Python.
Most importantly, this allows you to focus on learning more complex programming concepts, such as how to write functions, rather than getting bogged down in the details of the language itself.
2. It’s versatile and widely used.
Python is used by companies like Google, Instagram, and Spotify to write their recommendation algorithms. It’s also popular in the scientific community for research in fields such as astronomy.
It’s safe to say that no matter what field you’re in, one way or the other you’ll probably be able to use Python in your work and personal projects. As such, learning Python opens up possibilities for your future career and personal projects.
A. Industrial applications
Lately, Python’s impact on AI and Machine Learning has been growing with innovations in AI tools like ChatGPT and Github Copilot now based in Python. However, its importance as a programming language is not recent. Peter Norwig, Engineering Director at Google, has said that:
“Python has been an important part of Google since the beginning, and remains so as the system grows and evolves. Today dozens of Google engineers use Python, and we’re looking for more people with skills in this language.”
Python.org lists a variety of success stories in other fields and applications that use the programming language. The length of this list proves that Python can be used in an infinite number of ways.
B. Compatibility
Python is a cross-platform programming language. This means it can run code written in one operating system, such as Windows, Mac, Linux hardware, Android and iOS, in a different operating system without any issues.
Another important aspect is its ability to run with other programming languages. A few common examples of Python implementation with other languages are Jython (Python integrated with Java) and CPython (Python integrated with C). These have several benefits.
For example, in some cases, Jython can be faster than standard Python due to its ability to leverage the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) performance optimisations.
C. Open source
Python, licensed under an Open Source License approved by the Office of Scientific and Industrial Research, was designed to be used freely and distributed for commercial purposes.
The term ‘open source’ refers to a programming language that falls within an open-source protocol’s scope.
This means that the language in an open-source licence is not protected by copyright and can be modified or built upon according to certain conditions depending on which provisions are laid down. The Python Software Foundation acts as the administrator of this licence.
3. There’s a large community and support network.
While programming can sometimes feel like a solitary sport, support from your community is one of the best tools you’ll ever have.
Programmers continue to learn from and build on their predecessors’ successes thanks to online forums, local meetups, and the open-source community. One of the biggest advantages of learning Python as a beginner is the available support and the large global community of people working with Python.
Python has a massive user base because of its open-source tag. There are many contributors constantly working to improve the language and its libraries. This means that if you run into any issues or have questions, plenty of people and resources are available to help you.
For example, Stack Overflow is the largest online community for developers to learn, share their programming knowledge, and build their careers across different languages, including Python. The chart below shows how significantly the Python community on this platform has grown over the years.
The 2022 October report found that Python remains the second most-used programming language on GitHub. Interestingly, Python’s use grew more than 22 percent year on year with more than four million developers on GitHub using it at some point in 2022.
4. It’s great for building real-world applications.
With Python, even if you’re a beginner, you can start building useful applications immediately. Some real-world applications which use Python are:
A. Python for web development
Web development covers all the activities of building websites and web-based software applications. Every website consists of two parts: a client-side, which runs code from your computer’s Internet browser, and a server-side, where the code runs on that Web site.
Source: Tutorialspoint
Without learning a client-side language like JavaScript, you can use Python to rapidly and effectively create Dynamic Web Applications using web frameworks.
B. Python for data analysis
Data analysis aims to find useful information, inform conclusions and support decision-making through data examination, cleansing, transformation or modelling. There are various ways of doing data analysis and it is being used across areas such as business, science or social sciences.
Data analysis plays an essential role in today’s economic landscape, which helps businesses to make better decisions and be more efficient. Python has a range of libraries, such as numpy, pandas and matplotlib, specifically built to help with efficient data analysis.
C. Python in Finance
Financial technology (FinTech) automates and improves the delivery and use of financial services. It ranges from the technology behind your online banking portal as part of your banking services to blockchain applications.
Today, it is used in all areas of finance, like investment management, banking, training and fundraising. Python is used in financial analytics tools for data visualisation and complex statistical analyses, as well as in stock trading platforms to automate the buying and selling of stocks. This helpful article on Python Fintech Projects and Use Cases is a great place for extra details on where Python comes in handy.
5. There are plenty of resources and tutorials available.
Demand for Python programming skills has been growing in recent years. In 2023 and 2024, Python was the most preferred language by developers when they had multiple options.
Source: TIOBE Index
As such, plenty of resources and tutorials are available online. From online videos to interactive coding challenges, there are countless ways to learn Python at your own pace and on your own schedule without breaking the bank!
Free resources can include step-by-step tutorials, short-term courses, online forums, and official Python documentation to help you get started in learning the language. There are also coding challenges and competitions to keep you motivated.
Dr. Angela Yu’s 100 Days of Code: The Complete Python Pro Bootcamp on Udemy is the best resource for getting started in Python. The in-depth explanations and course curriculum in this course are unparalleled.
And I recommend this to all aspiring developers before they join our bootcamp (Data Science or Full Stack) before diving deep into the professional applications.
Of course, you can join our bootcamp directly and start immediately but that’s up to you.
6. Python is compatible with future technologies.
One of Python’s standout qualities is its forward-looking adaptability, making it a prime choice for developers looking to stay relevant.
A. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Libraries like TensorFlow, Keras, and PyTorch provide robust tools for building AI models, while Scikit-learn simplifies data analysis and machine learning tasks.
Python’s straightforward syntax allows developers to focus on building complex algorithms without worrying about the intricacies of lower-level programming languages.
New advancements in AI, such as deep learning and neural networks, will likely continue to be developed using Python due to the language’s flexibility and supportive libraries.
B. Data Science and Big Data
Data is being generated at unprecedented rates, and companies are eager to harness it for insights.
Python’s vast ecosystem of data processing libraries, including Pandas and NumPy, makes it an ideal choice for managing, analysing, and visualising big data.
Its role in data science is expected to grow as industries become more data-driven and rely heavily on analytics to make informed decisions.
C. Internet of Things (IoT)
Lightweight Python frameworks like MicroPython and CircuitPython allow you to work with microcontrollers and embedded systems. These frameworks allow Python code to run on small, power-efficient devices that form the backbone of IoT networks.
D. Blockchain Development
Its simplicity, combined with libraries like PyCryptodome for cryptographic functions, makes Python a viable option for developing decentralised applications (DApps) and creating smart contracts.
In fact, many blockchain projects, such as Ethereum, have Python-based tools and frameworks that developers can use to interact with the blockchain.
To be fair, this was all just a sneak-peek. Python is far more robust and practical than what I mentioned in this article. Its applications continue to grow wider, reaching robotics, automation and even quantum computing.
7. Questions from CodeOp Community
How long will it take to learn Python?
The time it takes to learn Python depends on your goals and how much time you can dedicate to learning.
Beginners with some prior experience are able to learn the basics in a few weeks, while others may take several months or more to become proficient. It’s important to remember that learning Python is a continuous process, and you’ll likely be learning new things for years to come.
Should I learn Python or JavaScript first?
Python is often recommended for beginners because of its simple syntax and versatility, while JavaScript is more commonly used for web development. Consider your interests and career aspirations before deciding which language to learn first.
It ultimately depends on your goals and what you want to do with programming.