There’s no doubt about it: Python has emerged as one of the most exciting and lucrative 21st century programming languages. We have been tracking the benefits of Python for years now as one of the best online coding classes for kids.
Considering the tech field’s pedal to the metal growth and demand, it’s worth taking a closer look at Python’s unique benefits and applications.
Python is, after all, in good company: Java, JavaScript, and C Suite are all among this year’s most high-paying programming skills, with most making the list of top kids coding languages as well. Any computer scientist worth their salt will want to learn each of these, so that leads us to the question on every budding coder’s minds:
How valuable is learning Python? What is Python good for, career-wise?
Benefits and importance of learning Python
Look no further than our guide to Python’s potential in 2020’s job market and game-changing role in the latest technology. With ten compelling reasons to get started, we have a feeling you won’t be asking “why should I learn Python,” so much as “how can I get started with Python this week?”
1. Python is a particularly lucrative programming language
Like peers Java, JavaScript, and Ruby, Python skills translate to some seriously lucrative career paths.
In the past three years alone, the value of Python has seen significant growth. It’s a worthwhile investment not only because of its high average salary, but when compared with Ruby, the current top earner, Python’s versatility makes it a job-market winner.
The future of any programming language depends on its efficacy and applicability. Python compares favorably in both of these key areas, which bodes well for its market value.
2. Python is used in machine learning & artificial intelligence, fields at the cutting-edge of tech
From Uber ETA’s to Google finishing your sentences and Netflix knowing what shows you’ll enjoy, machine learning and artificial intelligence is everywhere.
If we take a moment to appreciate just how recent many of these developments are, it’s thrilling to think about where we’re headed. Python will doubtlessly be at the forefront of AI innovation.
Experts argue that Python is the most compatible programming language for machine learning and artificial intelligence. Its extensive libraries and frameworks are ideal for kickstarting new ideas (more on this later). Plus, it’s relatively concise and supported by a wide community of programmers known for documenting their successes and failures.
So, if you want to be in "the room where it happens," the epicenter of the most exciting new technologies like machine learning and more, there’s no question that learning Python has value.
Get Started: AI Summer Camps for Kids & Teens
3. Python is simply structured and easy to learn
If you’re feeling intimidated by coding or asking yourself if coding is a good fit, learning Python is a great starting point.
Python was developed specifically with user-friendliness in mind, and its syntax more closely resembles English than its peer languages. It also enforces what’s known as the “whitespace rule,” which results in cleaner code that’s less overwhelming to the eye.
iD Tech also knows from experience that Python for kids is a successful pairing—trust us on this, we’ve been teaching kids to code for over 20 years. If you’re looking for an approachable coding language to begin programming, Python is an excellent choice.
Read More: Python Coding Games for Kids
4. Python has a really cool best friend: data science
Data science is perhaps 2020’s hottest career field, and Python is along for the ride. But let’s back up a step just in case you’re wondering what data science is in the first place.
In a nutshell, data science is the alchemy of tech: it takes vast amounts of data and spins it into golden information. Businesses then translate that information into innovative solutions to problems they might not have otherwise been able to pinpoint.
Ready for some mind-blowing examples of data science in action? Data science saved Southwest Airlines $100 million dollars by reducing idle plane time. It optimized UPS’s fuel use, helping decrease emissions and saving them $39 million dollars. The magic making this happen? Python programming.
Boasting an average annual salary of $100,560, data science is accelerating both in types of job opportunities and overall demand. Since 2012, the field has experienced a 650% growth spurt and is still growing.
Those who learn Python can hold the keys to success in this field; its capabilities can handle vast sets of data and tackle big business dilemmas.
5. Python programming is versatile in terms of platform and purpose
Python has earned a reputation as the “Swiss Army Knife” of coding. As a programming language, it isn’t picky when it comes to platforms and works equally well on Windows, Linux, and MacOS.
No one likes their skills to be pigeonholed; fortunately, Python programmers will never have this problem.
6. Python is growing in job market demand
As one of the top-earning programming languages and also one of the most widely used, Python is sure to have a major presence in the future of tech.
Even without data to back us up, we can say kids should learn to code, and the Department of Labor estimates another 546,200 coding jobs will be added by 2028 in the United States alone. In our humble opinion, careers that require Python skills will comprise a significant slice of this pie, and therefore continue to be a high-paying path.
But don’t take our word for it; the 2019 Stack Overflow Developer Survey confirms that Python is the fastest growing programming language. It ranks #1 in Google’s programming tutorial searches for a reason: Python is in-demand, and people are taking notice.
7. Python dives into deep learning
There is a bit of overlap between this area and the data science applications we mentioned earlier, but it’s worth touching on this again in light of Python’s uses in deep learning.
What is “deep learning” exactly? It’s a branch of machine learning that classifies things based on the way they look, sound, or read. Yes, computers can do that now.
Python is used to do some pretty amazing things within deep learning. It’s often the reason why computers beat humans at various tasks and the “self” that’s driving the self-driving car.
If that’s not the future of tech in a nutshell, we don’t know what is.
8. Python creates amazing graphics
Coding sometimes gets a bad rap for appealing only to logical skill sets, but that could not be more wrong.
Creative types enjoy using Python for its beautiful game graphics and its ability to generate new images using the deep learning we just mentioned. Python combines the meticulousness of coding with right-brained artistry—the best of both worlds.
Read More: Practice Python Online
9. Python supports testing in tech and has a pretty sweet library
Many experts agree that Python is the best language to use to test out new software. Remember the whole “Swiss Army Knife” of code thing, the versatility across platforms, and the “whitespace” rule? This where it all ties together.
Since Python code is often cleaner and more concise, it's a more wieldy problem-solving programming language than many of its peers. The platform isn’t a problem, since it’s compatible with all the major ones.
Another major draw of this language is its extensive library, and not the kind that sends politely threatening overdue notices.
In the coding world, libraries like PyTorch and TensorFlow provide a database of working code that programmers can use in a variety of projects. Experts and newbies alike will appreciate these ample resources and the supportive communities that come with them.
10. There are countless free resources available to Python programming newbies
Learning something new, especially something that turns the inner workings of the most sophisticated software and tech tools on the planet, can be incredibly intimidating.
But it doesn’t have to be!
There are dozens of quality free platforms available to folks at any level of programming experience.
We also know that sometimes it takes a supportive, expert coach to help dive in, which is why iD Tech offers machine learning summer camps (and private lessons), online python tutoring and small-group after-school programs for kids.