What is Python used for? 7 Practical Uses

Python is now one of the most commonly used programming languages in the world. Its functions can be carried out with simpler commands and less text than most competing languages, making it incredibly versatile and accessible for a huge variety of people and uses.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that Python plays a part in all of our lives and in this article we’re going to take a look at some of the more notable ways it has been used to enhance the world around us. From mobile devices to gaming, Python plays a key role in more ways than you might think!

What is Python?

Python is an interpreted programming language, created in 1991 by Dutch programmer Guido Van Rossum. This means that it has an interpreter to execute the programme directly, as opposed to depending on more complicated machine languages. In fact, Van Rossum wants Python to eventually be as understandable and clear as plain English. He has also made the language open source, which means that anyone can contribute to it.

“Readability” is a key factor in Python’s philosophy. It aims to limit code blocks (blocks of source code text) and have white space instead, for a clearer, less busy appearance. It’s a versatile language that runs on many systems, which brings us to…

What is Python Used For?

Not surprisingly, given its accessible and versatile nature, Python is among the top five most popular programming languages in the world. Python is used by Wikipedia, Google, Yahoo!, CERN and NASA, and many more world-famous organisations. We’ve rounded up some of the common uses for Python below for you to explore:

7 Common & Practical Uses for Python

1. AI & Machine Learning

It is widely thought that Python is the best programming language for Artificial Intelligence (AI) because of its syntaxes being simple and quickly learnt. When it comes to machine learning, the ideas exchange platform, “Towards Data Science”, tells us that 57% of data scientists and machine learning developers utilise Python, with 33% prioritising it for development.

2. Data Analytics

Many of the most popular data mining and analytics tools are written in Python. As a result, it is an excellent tool for data science. Python’s tools allow developers to separate important and relevant data. Not only is big data useful for retaining customers, but it can also help organisations learn more about themselves. This type of information can show businesses where their weaknesses are and allow them to react once identified.

3. Web Development

Python, as a backend language, is wonderfully versatile. Its relative simplicity is a key factor here. Because its simple syntax is so similar to the English language, web developers who use it save a lot of time and energy. Uses Python is put to for backend web development include processing data, interacting with databases and sending information between servers. Due to its frequency of use there are a number of Python frameworks that can be used for backend development including Django. 

4. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)

Python helps SEO professionals automate tasks and assists them in extracting and analysing large amounts of data. Python can be used to analyse large data sets to identify issues on websites, such as broken links, and can automate solutions to these to help minimise tedious tasks and remove human error. 

5. Blockchain

While there may be a few popular languages for blockchain development, including Javascript, Java, C++, and more, Python is proving itself as a strong language. As with other uses, Python recommends itself well for blockchain development because of its high flexibility and functionality, reinforced by its security.

6. Game Development

Although Python is not the top programming language used in game development, it is still incredibly popular, especially for simpler games. The speed at which games can be created in Python, owing to its simplicity, mean that it is also a fabulous option for building prototypes and developing ideas in the gaming industry, allowing more flexibility and faster processes than other alternatives.

7. Automation

Outside the above uses, Python can be useful to just about anyone who interacts with big data sets, in or out of work. It can automate tedious tasks, including checking information in databases, data visualisations, financial analysis and much, much more. Learning Python will allow you to save time throughout your life, and it has the bonus of being one of the easier programming languages to learn!

Why is Python So Popular?

The wide and varied uses of the Python programming language are a key part of why it has become so popular since its inception. Python is robust, versatile and offers solutions to professionals from a huge range of industries, not just developers. This, combined with how simple and easy to learn the language is, helps to explain how Python became so dominant in so many different fields.

How can you use Python?

If you are interested in getting keyed up with Python, you can learn with our Full Stack Diploma. 

We at Code Institute are among Python’s legion of fans – our students find it relatively easy to pick up; it has a countless, ever-expanding list of applications and (perhaps most importantly) it’s probably the hottest language in the ICT world right now.