Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on
Python has become one of the most popular programming languages in the world in recent years. It's used in everything from machine learning to building websites and software testing. It can be used by developers and non-developers alike.
Python, one of the most popular programming languages in the world, has created everything from Netflix’s recommendation algorithm to the software that controls self-driving cars. Python is a general-purpose language, which means it’s designed to be used in a range of applications, including data science, software and web development, automation, and generally getting stuff done.
Let’s take a closer look at what Python is, what it can do, and how you can start learning it.
What is Python?
Python is a computer programming language often used to build websites and software, automate tasks, and conduct data analysis. Python is a general-purpose language, meaning it can be used to create a variety of different programs and isn’t specialized for any specific problems. This versatility, along with its beginner-friendliness, has made it one of the most-used programming languages today.
According to a study by Statista, Python is the third most commonly used programming language among developers worldwide [1].
Did you know? The name Python comes from Monty Python. When Guido van Rossum was creating Python, he was also reading the scripts from BBC’s Monty Python’s Flying Circus. He thought the name Python was appropriately short and slightly mysterious.
What is Python used for?
Python is commonly used for developing websites and software, task automation, data analysis, and data visualization. Since it’s relatively easy to learn, Python has been adopted by many non-programmers such as accountants and scientists, for a variety of everyday tasks, like organizing finances.
“Writing programs is a very creative and rewarding activity,” says University of Michigan and Coursera instructor Charles R Severance in his book Python for Everybody. “You can write programs for many reasons, ranging from making your living to solving a difficult data analysis problem to having fun to helping someone else solve a problem.”
What can you do with python? Some things include:
Data analysis and machine learning
Web development
Automation or scripting
Software testing and prototyping
Everyday tasks
You can learn Python in just two months while earning a certificate to boost your resume by enrolling in the online program Python for Everybody. If you're not sure whether or not you'll use your new Python skills to advance your career, you might consider auditing the course for free. If you change your mind and would like to earn a certificate, you can always switch to the paid option.
Here’s a closer look at some of these common ways Python is used.
Data analysis and machine learning
Python has become a staple in data science, allowing data analysts and other professionals to use the language to conduct complex statistical calculations, create data visualizations, build machine learning algorithms, manipulate and analyze data, and complete other data-related tasks.
Python can build a wide range of different data visualizations, like line and bar graphs, pie charts, histograms, and 3D plots. Python also has a number of libraries that enable coders to write programs for data analysis and machine learning more quickly and efficiently, like TensorFlow and Keras.
Web development
Python is often used to develop the back end of a website or application—the parts that a user doesn’t see. Python’s role in web development can include sending data to and from servers, processing data and communicating with databases, URL routing, and ensuring security. Python offers several frameworks for web development. Commonly used ones include Django and Flask.
Some web development jobs that use Python include back-end engineers, full stack engineers, Python developers, software engineers, and DevOps engineers.
Read more: How to Become a Web Developer
Automation or scripting
If you find yourself performing a task repeatedly, you could work more efficiently by automating it with Python. Writing code used to build these automated processes is called scripting. In the coding world, automation can be used to check for errors across multiple files, convert files, execute simple math, and remove duplicates in data.
Python can even be used by relative beginners to automate simple tasks on the computer—such as renaming files, finding and downloading online content or sending emails or texts at desired intervals.
IT automation can be a valuable skill to add to your resume. You can learn the basics from an industry leader in technology with the following online program:
Software testing and prototyping
In software development, Python can aid in tasks like build control, bug tracking, and testing. With Python, software developers can automate testing for new products or features. Some Python tools used for software testing include Green and Requestium.
Not ready to take classes or jump into a project yet? Consider subscribing to our weekly newsletter, Career Chat. It's a low-commitment way to stay current with industry trends and skills you can use to guide your career path.
Everyday tasks
Python isn't only for programmers and data scientists. Learning Python can open new possibilities for those in less data-heavy professions, like journalists, small business owners, or social media marketers. Python can also enable non-programmers to simplify certain tasks in their lives. Here are just a few of the tasks you could automate with Python:
Keep track of stock market or crypto prices
Send yourself a text reminder to carry an umbrella anytime it’s raining
Update your grocery shopping list
Renaming large batches of files
Converting text files to spreadsheets
Randomly assign chores to family members
Fill out online forms automatically
Why is Python so popular?
Python is popular for a number of reasons. Here’s a deeper look at what makes it so versatile and easy to use for coders.
It has a simple syntax that mimics natural language, so it’s easier to read and understand. This makes it quicker to build projects, and faster to improve on them.
It’s versatile. Python can be used for many different tasks, from web development to machine learning.
It’s beginner friendly, making it popular for entry-level coders.
It’s open source, which means it’s free to use and distribute, even for commercial purposes.
Python’s archive of modules and libraries—bundles of code that third-party users have created to expand Python’s capabilities—is vast and growing.
Python has a large and active community that contributes to Python’s pool of modules and libraries, and acts as a helpful resource for other programmers. The vast support community means that if coders run into a stumbling block, finding a solution is relatively easy; somebody is bound to have encountered the same problem before.
Practice your Python skills independently with tutorials
Not ready to commit to a course or a boot camp yet? You can read step-by-step guides for troubleshooting Python basics like syntax, if-else statements, exceptions, and working with loops in Coursera's free programming tutorials.
Learn Python today with Coursera
There are several online courses available to start learning or continue building your Python skills.
Explore the basics with Duke University's Python Programming Fundamentals course. In less than 23 hours, you'll learn conditionals, loops, mathematical operators, and data types, and then will develop a Python Program from scratch.
Build your skills with the University of Michigan's Python for Everybody Specialization. Over five courses, you'll go deeper into data structures, accessing web data, and using databases, culminating in a hands-on project to create your own applications for data retrieval, processing, and visualization.
Practice career-specific Python applications with these top-rated courses:
Google IT Automation with Python Professional Certificate
Introduction to Programming with Python and Java Specialization from the University of Pennsylvania
Applied Data Science with Python Specialization from the University of Michigan
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Learning the basics of Python can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on what you want to learn and how frequently you learn. But since Python has so many uses—and tools to support those uses—you can spend years learning its different applications.
Knowing what tasks you want to accomplish and whether you want to use Python in a professional capacity can determine how long your Python journey will be.
Read more: How Long Does it Take to Learn Python?
Of the hundreds of programming languages out there, Python remains a popular choice among numerous companies and organizations. Some familiar names that use Python include Google, Meta, Venmo, Spotify, Netflix, and Dropbox.
Since python is a general-purpose language, it’s used across a variety of fields and industries. These are just a few job titles that may use Python:
- Developer
- Data analyst
- Data scientist
- Ethical hacker/penetration tester
- Software engineer
- Data journalist
- Cloud architect
- QA engineer
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