Why Learn Python? 13 Benefits of Learning to Code in Python

If you could only learn one programming language, what would that language be?

In this article, I want to argue the case for Python.

Of course, there is a lot more that goes into choosing a programming language and there may be other considerations that may compel you to choose a different language. I would suggest that you read my article on how to choose a programming language for more on this.

Python is one of the most popular languages right now. Here are a few statistics about Python.

• Python ranks number one in both TIOBE and PYPL popularity rankings.^[1][2]
• It is the 4^th most commonly used programming language (with 48% of developers using it). ^[3]
• It is the 6^th most loved programming language (with 67% of developers loving it). ^[3]

The rise of Python has been interesting and there are many reasons for this.

Before we dive into the reasons, if you wish to learn Python, here are some great courses you can try.

1. Python Has Good Career Prospects

Many people learning how to code are concerned about getting a job that pays a decent salary.

When analyzing a programming language for its career potential, you have to consider the following:

• How many jobs are available for that particular language?
• Which companies are hiring?
• What are the average salaries?

You can easily get this information by visiting popular job sites.

When you look at Python, you will see that it scores very well when using these criteria.

>> Why Python is great for Career

Here are some top reasons why Python is great for a career.

• Lucrative fields. Python development skills are important in a variety of lucrative fields such as data science and machine learning. These fields generate a lot of high-paying jobs in sectors such as autonomous transport, finance, and sales.
• High salaries. According to ZipRecruiter, a Python developer in the US earns an average annual salary of US$112,448 (51k-161k). ^[4]
• High job availability. According to ZipRecruiter, there were 377,476 jobs available for Python developers in the United States (as of September 2022) ^[5]
• Jobs in top companies. According to Indeed.com, some of the top-rated companies that hire Python developers include Microsoft, Capital One, Northrop Grumman, and Cisco. ^[6]

2. Python Is an Easy Language to Learn and Use

Beautiful is better than ugly.

Explicit is better than implicit.

Simple is better than complex.

Complex is better than complicated.

–Tim Peters, excerpt from Zen of Python ^[7]

There is a perception that programming is difficult and this is unfortunate because it keeps so many people away from it. There are several strategies you can use to make programming easier (see Is Programming Hard?).

If you are worried about whether you can make it in programming, one of the strategies you can use is to start with a language that is easy to learn. This reduces friction and accelerates the learning process.

Most beginners find it easier to learn coding in Python.

>> Why is Python easier to learn?

There are several reasons for this:

• Python is a high-level language whose syntax is closer to English. This makes the syntax easier to read and remember.
• Because Python is easy to read, it allows other people to help you when you encounter difficulties with your code.
• Python code is much shorter (less verbose) than most languages which makes it less intimidating for beginners.
• Python is easier to debug because it is more forgiving of syntax and semantic errors. This allows you to focus on logic errors.
• Given that Python is an interpreted language, you don’t have to wait for a compilation step before you debug.

Programming becomes a joy if you can focus on solving real problems and being productive rather than wasting time struggling with something that could be made simpler.

3. You Can Apply Python in Many Fields

When you are not sure about which language to learn, you cannot go wrong with learning a language that has a diverse range of applications.

Python can be used in diverse fields and this makes it great for people who have diverse interests and want to explore the world of programming.

If, for example, you learn Python because you are interested in data science, you can re-use your Python skills in machine learning or web development.

>> Where can you use python?

Here are the top programming paths where Python is used.

• Machine learning. Python is popular for various machine learning (ML) and A.I applications such as image and voice recognition. You can use Python in most of the A.I/ML steps such as data collection and analysis as well as algorithm development and testing
• Data Science. Python has a vast library of tools that are used for data analysis and visualization. Data science has become crucial in various industries including tech, finance, business, and defense.
• Web development. Python has long been used for server-side scripting. With Python frameworks like Django, you can create high-performing and scalable websites and web applications.
• Game development. You can create immersive 2-D and 3-D games using Python. Some popular Python games include Civilization IV, Battlefield 2, and Toontown.
• DevOps. Python is popular for writing automation scripts to optimize workflow. Many popular DevOps tools like Ansible are also written in Python.

4. Python Has Plenty of Useful Frameworks, Tools, and Libraries

A big reason why Python has been able to break into many different fields and programming paths is because there is a vast amount of libraries, frameworks, and tools that have been created for Python.

Frameworks and libraries can greatly simplify the coding process because you don’t have to re-write commonly used codes.

As Python becomes even more popular, the number of Python libraries and tools is likely to continue increasing.

>> Examples of the most popular Python Libraries, frameworks, and tools

Here are some of the top libraries and frameworks in various Python programming paths.

• Machine Learning. Python leads the way in machine learning and A.I with popular libraries like Tensor flow, Scikit-learn, Keras, and OpenCV.
• Data Science. Python has many popular libraries that are used for analytics and big data including Matplotlib, Numpy, Pandas, PySpark, and SciPy.
• Web Development. Popular Python web frameworks and micro-frameworks include Django, Flask, and Bottle.
• Game Development. Some popular Python game libraries include Pygame, Pyglet, PyOpenGL, and Panda 3D.
• Desktop Development. You can use Python to build great-looking Graphic User Interfaces (GUIs) using libraries like PyQt5, Tkinter, and Kivy.

5. Python Has Great Language Features

Python has great features that make it attractive to many developers. When Guido Van Rossum created Python, he had several goals. He wanted a language that was: ^[8]

• As easy to understand as English.
• Open-source so that everyone could contribute to its development.
• Suitable for everyday tasks.

The developers of Python have done a great job in meeting and exceeding these goals.

>> Advantageous features of Python

Here are some of the features that have driven the widespread adoption of Python.

• Simple Syntax and rules. Python has a simple syntax that reads like English. This makes it easy to learn, write, read and debug.
• Interpreted language. Python does not need to be compiled before it can run. This makes it good for scripting and rapid prototyping.
• Free and Open-source. Anyone can download and use Python for free. Also, anyone can contribute to its development.
• Portable. Python is platform independent which means that the code you write will run on multiple platforms such as Windows, Linux, and Mac. All you need is to have a Python interpreter installed.
• Extensible. Python allows you to write specific parts of your Python code in other programming languages, for example, Jython (for Java), CPython (for C), and RubyPython (for Ruby). This allows for easy integration with other languages.
• Multi-paradigm. Although Python is an object-oriented language, it allows you to use other programming paradigms such as functional programming. This allows you to experiment with different paradigms without changing languages.

6. Python Has a Massive Community

Python has one of the largest programming communities online.

Here are some statistics about Python on popular programming community sites.

• GitHub: There are over 2.7+ million Python repositories on GitHub (as of 2022). ^[9]
• Reddit: The Python subreddit on Reddit has over 1+ million members (as of 2022). ^[10]
• StackOverflow: Python is the language with the second most asked questions on StackOverflow (with over 2+ million questions). ^[11]

When learning how to code, picking a language that has a large community behind it comes with many advantages.

>> Why is it important for a programming language to have a large community?

Here are some advantages of having a large programming community.

• Problem-solving. In a big community, there is a good chance that someone has gone through the challenges you are facing and can help.
• Tools, libraries, and frameworks. The more developers there are in a community, the more likely they are to create useful tools, libraries, and frameworks. These enable newbies to create complicated applications.
• Learning Resources.  If a programming language is popular, there will be more high-quality tutorials and learning resources produced because people know that there will be a market for them.
• Mentorship. Developers are busy people and it can be difficult to get good mentorship. However, in a large community, it is much easier to get teachers, mentors, and peers compared to a small one.

7. There Are Plenty of Learning Resources for Python

Getting access to high-quality learning materials can make a big difference in your coding journey.

When looking for a programming language to learn, you need to assess the suitability of the available learning resources. Ideally, you want to see:

• A good mix of free, paid, and certified courses.
• Frequently updated learning resources.
• Comprehensive and clear official documentation.
• Dedicated groups and forums.

Python meets all these criteria.

>> Where can you find learning resources for Python

Below are examples of where you can find learning resources for Python.

• Free resources. You can get plenty of free Python resources on YouTube, blogs, and wikis. Some good sites for free Python courses and resources include Python.org, Codeacademy, Freecodecamp, and Datacamp.
• Cheap Courses. There are plenty of cheap Python courses on sites like Codeacademy, Udemy, and Pluralsight.
• Certified Courses. You can get certified courses in places like Edx, Coursera, and Udacity.
• Tutoring. You can get someone on Fiverr to teach you Python programming cheaply.

8. Python Is Great for Personal Hobby Projects

You can get into programming even if you don’t intend to have a career in programming. There are many reasons why you may choose programming as a hobby rather than as a career. I have discussed them at length in my article on Programming as a hobby.

Even if you are already in a programming career, it is still important to create hobby projects outside of your work. Working on such projects:

• Makes programming fun.
• Helps you to get into new programming paths and languages.
• Helps you to see the real-world application of programming.
• Helps you to introduce family and friends to programming.

Python is a great language for creating hobby projects mainly because of the large communities around it such as Raspberry Pi or Arduino communities.

>> Cool hobby projects you can do with Python

There are many cool hobby projects that you can do with Python such as:

• Games. You can make simple educational games for your kids with Pygame.
• Music. You can create music beats and sound effects with Sonic Pi.
• Robotics and RC. You can make robots and remote-controlled vehicles with Raspberry Pi and GoPiGo.
• Home Security. You can build or upgrade your home security system with Raspberry Pi and Open CV.

9. Python Is Great for Students in School

If you are a student, learning Python can have many advantages. This applies whether you are in elementary school or graduate school.

For example, Python skills can boost your CV especially when applying for admission to some courses, especially STEM-related graduate courses.

This slight advantage can open up opportunities that may not have been available to you.

>> Why Python is great for students

Here are some more great reasons why Python is great for students.

• Data analysis. Python can be a great asset if you want to study a STEM subject where you will be required to do extensive data analysis. You can use Python for data exploration, analysis, visualization, and presentation.
• Computer Science. If you are planning to study computer science in college, learning Python can give you a head start as more universities are now adopting it as a language of instruction. This is especially true if you want to specialize in A.I and machine learning.
• Science Projects. You can create unique science projects using tools like Raspberry Pi or GoPiGo. It is a great way to make abstract scientific topics fun.

10. Python Is Great for Making Your Life Easier

Mundane tasks can take up valuable time that could be used for something else.

Taking the time to learn how to automate mundane and routine tasks will help you to:

• Get things done faster and more accurately.
• Have more time to do other more important things.
• Avoid boring and mundane work.
• Make more money by being more productive.

Python is one of the most popular languages for writing automation scripts and there are many resources online that will show you how to do it.

>> Common time-saving tasks that you can do with Python

Some of the tasks that you can automate with Python include:

• Automation. You can automate posting to your social media accounts.
• Web scraping. You can use Python to collect data from websites in bulk.
• Batching. You can use Python to batch tasks such as the renaming of files, or converting image and video files.
• Creating Macros. You can create macros for software such as Microsoft Word or Excel that will simplify many tasks such as data entry and formatting.

11. Python is Great for Freelancing

Not everyone wants to get employed. If you find it stressful dealing with bosses, office politics, or nasty co-workers, you can employ yourself and be your own boss.

Fortunately, programming skills are in high demand in freelancing marketplaces and you can make a decent income by offering your services.

But how do you tell which programming skills are in demand in the market?

One clever way to uncover great freelancing opportunities is to go to a freelancing site like Fiverr and do a bit of digging. You can check for:

• What skills are other programmers offering.
• How many jobs top sellers are getting.
• What prices are programmers charging.

Python is quite popular with freelancers. For example, when you look at Fiverr there are 17, 400 services offered for Python compared to 3,100 for Java. This shows that there is a high demand for Python-related services.

>> Which Python skills are great for freelancing?

Here are some popular tasks that can help you to make money as a freelancer.

• Tutoring beginners on various aspects of Python programming.
• Writing scripts for various tasks such as automation and web scraping.
• Debugging and fixing other people’s code.
• Writing macros for popular software like Excel, Photoshop, or ArcGIS.
• Data Analysis for students and companies.
• Creating custom websites and apps for businesses and organizations.

12. Python Is Great for Startups

If you wish to create a startup, Python is a great language to learn.

For your startup to be successful, it requires:

• Agility. You need the ability to quickly create a prototype or an MVP (Minimum Viable Product).
• Scalability. You need the ability to quickly scale your application to meet market needs.
• Cost reduction. You need to get quality developers at a reasonable cost.

Python fulfills these criteria and that is why it has been used by many famous startups either in full or as part of their tech stack. Some of the companies that have used Python include Instagram, Uber, Door Dash, and Dropbox.

>> Why is python popular with startups?

Python is a compelling choice for startups because of:

• Rapid prototyping. The various features of Python such as easy syntax, code integration, and execution at runtime make it ideal for rapid prototyping. For most startups, competition is high and it is a big advantage if you can get your product to the market faster than your competition.
• Ease of finding skilled developers. Because so many people are learning Python, it is easier to find great people to work with as employees or as freelancers. This drives down hiring costs and ensures a steady supply of talent.
• Easy Syntax. Because Python code is easy to read and write, you can create applications much faster. It also makes maintenance easier because you can easily decipher other people’s code. All this drives down the cost of software and makes it more profitable.
• Good for collaboration. Python is an extensible language and this makes it easier to collaborate with developers who use other programming languages. This means that you can quickly develop new features or expand your talent pool.

13. Python Is a Future-Proof Language

If you decide to devote time and resources to learning a programming language, you want to be sure that it will be around and relevant for a long time to come.

In the last couple of years, the popularity of Python has been steadily climbing as can be seen in this Google trends graph that shows interest over time.

And it doesn’t seem like Python is going to slow down anytime soon.

>> Why Python will continue to be relevant in future

Let us unpack some of the reasons why Python will continue to dominate.

• It is used in future-growth technologies. Python is heavily used in technologies that are likely to be crucial in the future such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
• Wider adoption by companies. Many startups and established tech companies love Python because of its many advantages. Also, many companies are looking to leverage future growth technologies. This means that Python developers will continue to be in high demand.
• Wider adoption by teaching institutions. Many universities are now adopting Python as a language of instruction, especially for introductory computer science courses. As more people learn Python, the community around it will grow and this will drive innovation in the language.

Wrapping Up

Hopefully, you have found a good number of reasons to justify putting your time and effort into learning Python.