What is Python Used For? The Many Uses of Python Programming

What is Python used for? Python is a general-purpose programming language, so it can be used for many things. Python is used for web development, AI, machine learning, operating systems, mobile application development, and video games.

A successor to the ABC programming language, Python is a high level, dynamically typed language developed by Guido Van Rossum in the early 1980s. In the intervening years, Python has become a favorite of the tech industry, and it has been used in a wide variety of domains.

The language developed into its modern form in the early 2000s with the introduction of Python 2.0. But its basic operational principles remain the same. Python code uses the ‘object-oriented’ paradigm, which makes it ideal for writing both large-scale projects and smaller programs.

Python is a relatively easy programming language to learn and follows an organized structure. This, combined with its versatility and simple syntax, makes it a fantastic programming language for all sorts of projects.

In this article, we’ll go over the most popular uses for Python and discuss why it is a perfect language for anyone to learn.

What Is Python Used For?

Web Development

Python is a go-to for complex web development projects, as its flexibility makes it possible to create sophisticated web utilities with relative ease. HTML and JavaScript are the primary languages for building the front end of a program. But you can use Python-based web frameworks like Django to smooth the process of handling backend or server-side functionality.

Giant websites and platforms like YouTube and Google rely heavily on Python for critical infrastructure. This has further enhanced its reputation as a solid component in the web developer’s toolkit.

Calculators

Yes, you can learn to build a quality graphical user interface (GUI) calculator in Python with this tutorial. In fact, this is an excellent introduction to GUI programming and a solid starter Python project for beginners. Just be aware that it’ll help to have some previous coding experience before you attempt it.

Operating Systems

You heard that right—Python is so robust that it can be used to build entire operating systems. The object-oriented design of this programming language makes large projects easier to manage. So, it’s completely reasonable to attempt a task this daunting with Python. Though building an operating system isn’t generally a popular Python undertaking, we thought it was interesting enough to mention.

And speaking of operating systems, Python is compatible with virtually all of them! This means you can build native applications for both Windows and Mac computers with it. From a software development perspective, this is a dream come true.

Desktop Applications

As mentioned above, Python is an excellent choice for desktop applications with a GUI. The Python Standard Library contains tools for quickly working up simple GUI desktop applications. But you can also code one from start to finish with Python.

Popular applications such as Dropbox and BitTorrent are mostly written in Python, so it’s a proven language for this category of software engineering. This is what has drawn so much talent to Python programming. You can build something as large and complex as Dropbox with a single language. That means a lot of frustration is removed from the development process.

FinTech

Python is becoming increasingly popular for its potential applications in the fintech realm. The reason for this popularity is Python’s usefulness in applications like data regulation, analytics, risk management, and quantitative rate problems. Further, there are tons of Python tools that make it the perfect language for fintech and other finance applications. Here are just a few examples:

• NumPy
• SciPy
• Pandas
• Scikit-learn
• Cython
• PyTables

As fintech continues to grow, you can expect Python to feature prominently. Indeed, there are already scores of fintech companies that include Python in their stack. Here are just a few examples of the most prominent fintech companies that have adopted Python:

• Zopa
• Vyze
• Venmo
• Bank of America

Mobile Apps

Python is a go-to for many mobile app developers. And it’s just as useful on iOS and Android as it is on desktop operating systems. There’s a long list of mobile applications built using Python, and it’s getting longer every day. Popular programs like Instagram are mainly written in Python, so clearly it’s a great way to start off in mobile development.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Artificial intelligence and machine learning have become buzzwords these days, but the truth is that it all comes down to algorithms, code, and logic. Given the scope and power of Python, it’s no surprise that some truly world-class tools exist for generating intelligent behavior in Python.

Arguably the most popular is the ubiquitous machine learning library, Scikit-Learn. Speaking from experience, Sklearn makes the process of building everything from classifiers to regression models orders of magnitude simpler than it otherwise would be.

If neural networks are more your jam, there’s always TensorFlow. Adding in the new Keras API, building a state-of-the-art neural network is easier than it has ever been.

Data Science

Whether you’re doing straightforward data analysis or full-on data science, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better suite of tools than those in Python.

The Pandas library is a quantum-leap improvement over the dusty Excel spreadsheets in which financial analysis was done for so long. If Pandas isn’t fast enough for you, most of the basic vector operations can be one with NumPy. Numpy also offers the ability to do linear algebra, scientific computing, and a host of other highly technical things. It is, therefore, a great tool to learn how to use well.

Business and Startups

Python is also becoming a popular choice in the tech stacks of many prominent and growing startups. Why? Python is incredibly simple to learn, making it easy to scale across an entire company. The straightforward style of Python code is what gives it this relative simplicity. The time it takes to learn Python style coding is nothing compared to other popular languages, like C#. And with online learning platforms like Codecademy, SoloLearn, and freeCodecamp, it’s easier than ever to pick up the basics of Python in no time.

Why Python is Awesome

Python is an excellent choice if you’re interested in learning how to code. It’s usually best to start with simpler coding languages, and there are few options as straightforward and versatile as Python. This makes it a great choice for a wide range of projects, from simple web applications to entire operating systems.

There’s an enormous number of online resources for learning Python, many of which are free or relatively inexpensive. Picking up Python is a great way to prepare for an intensive programming bootcamp if you want to make a career in tech.