​Why Learn Python? Top 5 Reasons to Learn the Most Popular Programming Language

So, you’re considering learning Python. Maybe you’re new to programming and you’re wondering which language to learn, or maybe you’re a pro coder who’s curious to dive into something new.

Whatever your reason for peering into the world of Python, we’re going to help you understand everything you need to know about the globe’s most popular language.

What is Python?

Python is a versatile programming language that can be used for general purpose within programming. It’s versatility means it’s growing in popularity because, unlike HTML or CSS, you can actually use Python in non-dev applications too.

Another reason it’s so popular is that it’s basis is in English syntax making it much easier to use and read than other languages. This also makes it popular for first time coders or programmers who are new to the language.

Why Learn Python?

We deal with Python professionals every day. We pride ourselves in knowing a thing or two about the language itself. But we’re no experts. However, we are experts on careers with Python – so hear us out.

It’s is one of the best coding languages you could learn where salary is concerned. Plus, it can (and does) open the door to a bunch of other programming opportunities – whether that’s learning more languages or landing a better paid role.

Python is widely compared to some of the OG programming languages like JavaScript and C++. Whichever language you choose to learn, it should match the field, technology or industry you’re aiming to work in.

Picking the next language to tick off your ‘To-Learn’ list isn’t an easy decision. So, to nudge you in the right direction, we’ve put together a few reasons why you should consider putting Python at the top of that list.

Python is versatile, simple to use, growing in popularity (ranking #1 in the TIOBE Index 2021), it has a huge global community, it’s free and super accessible.

So, if that’s not enough to sway you towards a career using Python, keep reading. Here are our top five reasons you should pay Python some attention.

1. Python Developer Salary

If anyone knows anything about having a career in Python, it’s us. And, we’re here to tell you that when you have strong knowledge of Python, you could be in for the big bucks.

There are a number of lucrative roles using Python. With Python under your belt, you could become a software developer, web developer, data analyst, data scientist, automation tester, machine learning engineer or an AI engineer – all of which are massively high in demand.

Which Industries use Python?

The industries that use Python are varied, but the departments that use the language usually revolve around big data, machine learning, cloud computing or AI.

How much do Python developers make?

Employers will weigh up factors like your experience as well as your hard and soft skills and the interview process might include a tech test. Another thing they might consider is where you’re based. Most organisations offer flexible hours, hybrid or fully remote working, so it shouldn’t matter where you are providing time zones don’t play a part. Even then, we find many organisations will allow 3-/+ hour time differences for remote employees.

As a result of these varying factors, there’s no way of saying exactly how much you should expect to earn as a Python engineer. We can, however, give you our best estimate based on the hundreds of Python engineers we’ve placed.

From Python developers in Berlin to CTOs in the US, our Salary Survey will reveal what you could be earning as a full time Python engineer.

2. Python Frameworks and Libraries

When learning a new language, you’re going to want to know which frameworks work best with it. So, which frameworks are best for Python? There are three types of overall frameworks:

·       Full-Stack frameworks are best for all-round developers – both frontend and backend.

·       Microframeworks don’t offer any extra functions and you’ll need to add code to your project for efficient functionality.

·       Asynchronous frameworks are microframeworks that can handle a big amount of connections.

Python’s ease of use, accessibility and simplicity extends into its frameworks and libraries too. Python is technically a backend language, but doesn’t have to be used with exclusively frontend frameworks. For example, it works well with the likes of Django which can be used in frontend and backend.

What are the best Python libraries?

The difference between a library and a framework is that frameworks are far more complex than libraries. Libraries are packaged functions ready to implement, whereas, frameworks require coding being added manually by a developer.

When discussing roles with developers, the most popular Python libraries we come across are high-level general purpose ones i.e. Requests, Asyncio, Tkinter, Six and Pillow. If you want to delve deep into best practices using Python, we suggest checking out these tutorials.

Types of Python Frameworks

The two most popular frameworks we see regularly are Django and Flask. Django is one of the worlds’ favourite frameworks. It’s easy to use and encourages efficient and clean code.

With Flask, unlike other frameworks, there are only a handful of parts that can be altered making it minimal and simple. It’s this simplistic minimalism that makes the framework suited for beginners.

An extra bonus of using Python is that it works on any computer. That means no buying or installing new equipment. Just start coding straight away on whichever device you prefer.

3. Python has a Global Community

Python is used all over the world by a range of developers. Google, Yahoo, Spotify, Dropbox, Cisco, Quora, Microsoft, Mozilla and YouTube all use Python within their organisations. The global demand for Python experts is super high - but we’ll come back to that.

There’s a whole host of communities that cater towards niche groups of developers looking to learn and interact with each other (like these JavaScript Influencers) and Python is no exception.

There are webinars, forums and podcasts galore to help you understand Python and learn along with others. The coding community is a big one, but the niche communities you’re looking for are out there, especially for Python.

4. Python is Easy to Use and Accessible

There are a few reasons why Python has risen through the ranks in global popularity recently. One of them is that so many people are benefiting from how easy and simple it is to use.

The bottom line is that it’s simpler to compile code with Python than a more complex language like Java. Plus, it’s Syntax is close to resembling English so it flows more naturally for the person writing the code.

How long does Python take to learn?

To the average Joe who hasn’t really coded before, Python might take around 6 months to learn. However, if you’re stepping into Python from another language, you might pick it up in as little as a month or two.

5. Python Developers are High in Demand

We said we’d get back to it. Python Recruitment and the Python jobs market can seem a little overwhelming at first. This is mainly because as soon as recruiters are aware of your availability (even passively) you’ll be inundated with emails, messages and phone calls.

That’s not to say recruiters can’t find you the best job out there, but you should be wary of who you let do your job search for you.

If you’re a Python developer, there is a huge demand and a plethora of opportunities out there for you. With that in mind, it’s no wonder that some hiring processes can take extra time in comparison to other professions.

For example, if you’re interviewing for a tech lead role, you’ll likely be asked about your leadership experience over your tech ability. On the other hand, if you’re applying for a middle-weight developer role, you should expect to have to undergo some sort of tech test and to have a couple of chats with members of the tech team.

Choosing the right recruiter

You should only job hunt via a dedicated recruitment consultant who actually knows your technology and your market. There are tech recruiters out there who’ll specialise in hiring for developers or tech leaders, but, that’s still too general. Instead, you should rely on someone who knows everything about your programming language opportunities and it’s markets.

Our consultants are experts in their fields, from contract Golang jobs in Berlin, to permanent Staff Engineers in the US, we’ve got it covered.

We provide specialist, niche recruitment solutions specifically for Python, Golang and JavaScript professionals. We know the markets and we have the client base to connect you to your dream job.

Don’t believe we’ll have something that interests you? Take a look here.