What Is Python Used For?
Shashikant Kulkarni
Python has become one of the most popular
programming languages in recent years. It's
been used in everything from machine learning
to building websites and software testing.
Developers and non-developers alike find it
useful.
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, used to create a
range of applications, including data science,
software and web development, automation,
and improving the ease of everyday tasks.
What is Python?
Python is a computer programming language often
used to build websites and software, automate tasks,
and analyze data. Python is a general-purpose
language, not specialized for any specific problems,
and used to create various programmes. This
versatility and its beginner-friendliness have made it
one of the most used programming languages today.
In 2020, more than one-third of Indian IT
professionals said Python was their preferred
programming language
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.
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
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
visualisations, build machine learning algorithms, manipulate
and analyse data, and complete other data-related tasks.
• Python can build various data visualisations, like line and bar
graphs, pie charts, histogrammes, and 3D plots. Python also
has many 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 includes sending data to and
from servers, processing data and communicating with
databases, routing URLs, 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.
Automation or Scripting
• If you perform a task repeatedly, you can 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.
Software testing and prototyping
• Python can aid in software development 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.
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:
• 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 household tasks to family members
• Fill out online forms automatically
Why is Python so popular?
• 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 when coders need help, finding a solution is relatively easy; somebody has likely
encountered the same problem before.
To study Data Science, you should focus on
learning
Linear Algebra, Statistics, Probability, Calculus
(including multivariable calculus), and basic
concepts like functions, graphs, and matrix
operations
Linear Algebra:
• Understanding vectors, matrices, and matrix
operations is crucial for handling datasets and
performing calculations in machine learning
algorithms.
Key mathematical areas to focus on:
• Statistics:
Concepts like hypothesis testing, confidence intervals,
descriptive statistics, and statistical distributions are essential
for interpreting data and drawing meaningful conclusions.
• Probability:
Grasping probability theory allows you to understand the
likelihood of events and build predictive models.
• Calculus:
Familiarity with derivatives and integrals (both single and
multivariable) is useful for optimization problems within
machine learning.
Other important mathematical concepts for
Data Science:
• Functions and graphs: Understanding different
types of functions and how to visualize them
through graphs
• Polynomials: Used in regression models to fit
data points
• Systems of linear equations: Solving sets of
equations with multiple variables
• Optimization techniques: Algorithms to find
the best possible solutions to problems
