Adapted from futurelearn.com
Python is an object-oriented (focused on data) that’s easier for people to understand because it’s also a high-level programming language. Because of how relatively intuitive it is to write and understand, it’s a widely used programming language and great for those who want rapid development. So what’s Python used for exactly? It’s used widely for a variety of things. Here’s a list of applications.
AI and machine learning
Python is quite flexible and simple to use and for a lot of machine learning and artificial intelligence projects. Python is widely used by data scientists and there are many Python machine learning and AI libraries and packages available.
Data analytics
Much like AI and machine learning, data analytics is another rapidly developing field that uses Python. We’re creating more data than ever before, which is why there’s a need for those who can collect, manipulate and organize the data and information. When working with large amounts of information, it’s useful for manipulating data and carrying out repetitive tasks because of its flexibility and of how easy it is to use.
Data visualization
Data visualization is another rapidly developing area of interest. Python provides a variety of graphing libraries with all kinds of features like Pandas Visualization and Plotly which allow us to create simple graphical representations or more interactive plots. The possibilities are vast, allowing you to transform data into meaningful insights.
Programming applications
A general-purpose language like Python can be used to read and create file directories, blockchain applications, audio and video apps, or machine learning applications.
Web development
There are many Python web development frameworks to choose from, such as Django, Pyramid, and Flask which have been used to create sites and services such as Spotify, Reddit and Mozilla. Extensive libraries and modules that come with such frameworks allow us to create functions like database access, manage content and authorize data.
Game development
While Python isn’t an industry-standard in game development, it is also still used. Because of its simplicity, it can be used to quickly develop a prototype.
Language development
Python has been used as a basis to create new languages such as Cobra, CoffeeScript, and Go. This makes Python a useful gateway language so understanding Python can help you branch out into other languages easily.
Finance
As previously mentioned, Python is great for working with big data sets and there are many libraries that compile and process information. For this reason, it’s becoming one of the preferred languages in the finance industry as it’s a valuable tool in determining asset price trends and predictions, as well as in automating workflows across different data sources.
Search Engine Optimization
While it’s surprising, Python is also used in search engine optimization. This field benefits from automation which Python is good at doing. Whether it’s implementing changes across multiple pages or categorizing keywords Python is helpful. Additionally, new technologies like natural language processing are important to those working on search engine optimization. Python can help develop these skills and understand how people search for results and how search engines return them.
Design
Python can be used to develop graphic design applications. It’s used with 2D imaging software like Paint Shop Pro and Gimp. It’s even used in 3D animation software like Lightwave, Blender, and Cinema 4D.
As shown above, Python can be used for a variety of applications because of its wide support network and a diverse range of libraries. If this is a language that interests you, Lawrence offers certain introductory courses to Python like “Introduction to Scientific Programming” or you can use online course website like Datacamp and Coursera to do so.