Good programming skills have become a valuable asset to companies, and potential tech employees are expected to have some rudimentary knowledge in certain programming languages.
Such programming languages include HTML, JavaScript, and Java, as they are needed to create a functional website — which then helps businesses compete in today’s competitive market.
But aside from these three, another language that can help you become an attractive candidate for organizations is Python.
Created back in 1991, Python remains a very useful skill for programmers. So with that in mind, here are a few reasons why you should aim to master this programming language:
It’s beginner-friendly
One of the things that can make learning a programming language seem intimidating is that the code isn’t like anything you’re used to reading or writing.
But Python utilizes English syntax and was essentially designed to be easy to read and understand. This means Python codes can be written and executed faster than other languages.
Another thing that makes Python seem less intimidating is that it uses the “whitespace rule,” which means code blocks are indented in order to make the whole code look cleaner and easier to read.
Python For Dummies assures that even those who have little to no experience in programming will be able to learn the language as long as they’re given the right tools.
From there, learners can master basic elements and eventually handle data and debug programs in order to construct applications.
Python developers are in demand
Python is one of the most sought-after programming languages that hiring managers look for when recruiting developers, according to a report on TechRepublic.
Two other languages, Java and JavaScript, have been indispensable due to their use on interactive websites and mobile apps.
On the other hand, Python is preferred by companies and developers for a number of reasons — which isn’t the case for other programming languages.
For instance, PHP is widely used in web development due to its ability to facilitate various media like PDF files and flash movies, which HTML can’t do. It’s even big enough to be one of the languages at the core of WordPress.
In addition, Python is also very easy to learn, efficient to use, and can be used for a variety of purposes. These reasons make it worth it to learn how to code using Python.
It’s the fastest growing programming language
Statistics from the PYPL show that Python is the most-searched programming language as it generates almost 30% of the searches.
Part of this is due to the language being beginner-friendly, which easily attracts anyone who wants to try programming. Another key feature is Python’s various applications, from web development to operating systems.
Python is also heavily backed by various big companies such as Google, Facebook, and Netflix. The aforementioned companies have invested effort and money into training their developers in the language.
It’s extremely versatile
Python is best known for its application in data science because of its deep learning capabilities and ability to deal with large amounts of data.
But Towards Data Science shows how diverse Python’s applications really are. For one, it can actually be used for web development, because it has a variety of frameworks like Django and a CMS like Wagtail, which make web developing much simpler.
It can be used for 2D and 3D game development too as evident with famous games like Doki Doki Literature Club and Sims 4. But you can also recreate well-known games using Python, such as Flappy Bird and Snakes and Ladders.
Python has even entered the domain of CAD, which is used by product designers and engineers, through applications such as PythonCAD and Blender.
A big supportive community provides Python libraries and frameworks
Python has a thriving online community that programmers can turn to if they need advice or assistance or even if you need to hire a python expert. You can find these communities on various websites, such as GitHub, Python Forum, and freeCodeCamp.
There are also hundreds of free resources where you can learn about the language, such as blogs like Planet Python and Full Stack Python.
There are also open-source libraries you can use for your own projects.
For instance, Scikit-learn is helpful if you need machine learning in your application. Because it includes classification and clustering, it’s used by Spotify for music recommendations.
There’s always space to upskill in Python, and you can do so knowing there’s a community to support you if you need any help.
Python developers have high salaries
With Python’s versatility and growth, being able to use it to your advantage can help you carve out a lucrative career. Because the language can be used in various areas, ThePythonGuru shows that the salary depends on what job you land.
The average yearly entry-level salary in the U.S. is around $40,000, but becoming a web developer can see you earn approximately $59,000 as an entry-level salary.
Meanwhile, new data science recruits can start with $88,000, while specialists can get as high as $140,000 a year. No matter what area you decide to enter, having good Python skills can give you a great chance of finding a job that pays well.
Python is by no means a new programming language, but it’s still highly sought after by companies. Learning Python is also a great way to upskill yourself as it’s easy to learn, has many great support communities and good resources, and can be used in different areas.
So if you want to make yourself an attractive candidate to companies, learning Python will definitely be a useful asset.
