Why is Python getting more popular? (2024)

Python is a popular language for web and software development because you can create complex, multi-protocol applications while maintaining concise, readable syntax. In fact, some of the most popular applications were built with Python. Plus, Python’s open source community provides developers with an extensive amount of reusable code, frameworks, and support.

One of Python’s key benefits is its ability to automate manual, repetitive tasks. With Python, you can learn how to automate just about anything by using either built-in modules or pre-written code from its robust library. Or you can write your own custom scripts to perform specific actions.

Python has been gaining popularity for several reasons:

1. Easy to Learn and Read: Python has a simple and readable syntax that makes it easy for beginners to learn and understand. Its emphasis on code readability and simplicity allows developers to write clean and expressive code, reducing the learning curve for new programmers.
2. Python is Flexible: Python is often described as a general-purpose programming language. This means that unlike domain-specific languages which are designed only for certain application types, Python may be used to develop nearly any kind of application in any industry or field. What is Python used for? Python has been used to great effect in web development, data analytics, machine learning, data science, data engineering, and even machine learning and artificial intelligence. Many top businesses and software companies depend on Python including Facebook, Google, Netflix, Instagram, and others. Supported by a range of frameworks and libraries, there’s essentially no coding job that Python can’t handle.
3. Versatility: Python is a versatile language that can be used for a wide range of applications. It has extensive libraries and frameworks for various domains such as web development, data analysis, scientific computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and more. This versatility makes Python suitable for different projects and attracts developers from various fields.
4. Python is efficient, fast, and reliable: Occasionally, a developer that specializes in a different programming language might ask “Why is Python slow?” And yes, compared to some other languages, such as Java, C#, Go, JavaScript, or C++, Python often has a slightly slower execution speed. However, in today’s world, development time is much more important than computer run time. And in terms of time-to-market, Python simply cannot be beaten. Likewise, Python is efficient and reliable, allowing developers to create powerful applications with a minimum of effort. Completing coding projects is easy rather than time-consuming, and the results are able to stand toe to toe with applications created using more-demanding languages.
5. Strong Community and Support: Python has a large and active community of developers. This community contributes to the development of libraries, frameworks, and tools, making Python an ever-evolving language. The community also provides extensive documentation, tutorials, and online resources, which makes it easier for developers to find help and learn from others.
6. Data Science and Machine Learning: Python has become the go-to language for data science and machine learning tasks. Its libraries like NumPy, Pandas, and scikit-learn provide powerful tools for data manipulation, analysis, and modeling. Additionally, popular machine learning frameworks like TensorFlow and PyTorch are built with Python in mind. The rise of data-driven decision making and the demand for AI and ML applications have contributed significantly to Python's popularity.As wireless access becomes ever-more ubiquitous, the internet of things (IoT) continues to grow. These small, internet-connected devices often allow users to make small adjustments to their code, customizing their performance to fit specific needs. Many of these devices support either Python or Micropython (a scaled down version of the programming language designed for simpler devices). As more and more devices become internet-connected, users are discovering that a working understanding of Python may be essential in fully utilizing the ever-expanding internet of things.
7. Increased Industry Adoption: Python has gained significant traction in the industry. Many tech giants and organizations use Python for their projects, including Google, Facebook, Instagram, Dropbox, and NASA, among others. The growing adoption of Python in real-world applications reinforces its credibility and attracts more developers to learn and use the language.
8. Rapid Development and Prototyping: Python's simplicity and productivity enable developers to write code quickly and iterate rapidly. The language's expressive syntax, coupled with a large number of third-party libraries, allows developers to build prototypes and proof-of-concepts faster. This speed of development is beneficial in today's fast-paced tech environment.

The combination of its ease of use, versatility, strong community support, and its applicability in emerging fields such as data science and machine learning has propelled Python's popularity and made it a favored choice for developers across different domains.