Is Python Popular?

Have you been hearing about Python? Do you see its popularity growing, with more and more jobs requiring knowledge of this programming language? Are you wondering if you should start learning Python yourself? I have some convincing arguments that will help you make this decision.

It takes time and effort to acquire a new skill. Since time is the most valuable resource we have, we should think thoroughly before investing our time in new learning adventures. We need to find a legitimate answer to the question “Is Python worth learning?”.

The rationale for being worthy of time depends on two things. The first one is how much time you need to invest and the second is what you get in return. In finance, there is a common term to describe what you get back: the return on investment (ROI).

Based on the ROI, is learning Python worth your time? Yes – and it will be the same for the foreseeable future. However, an answer of just one sentence is not enough evidence, So, let’s elaborate on why this is so.

Let’s start with the investment part, i.e. what it takes to learn Python. Is it a difficult or time-consuming task? Do you need to spend long hours and have sleepless nights to improve your Python skills? The short answer is “no”. For the long and more persuasive answer, we need to focus on what it takes to learn Python.

After determining how much time and effort we need for learning Python, the question of return on investment comes up. I will try to shed light on the ROI in terms of job opportunities and income. What will you achieve by learning Python? Is it a valuable addition to your professional toolkit? Can you make a living from Python?

Let’s get the answers to these questions.

What Does It Take to Learn Python?

Python has been around for 30 years, but it has gained a tremendous amount of popularity more recently. What contributes to Python’s domination is what Guido van Rossum had in mind when he created it.

His goal was to create a programming language that was:

• Easy, intuitive, and just as powerful as its major competitors.
• Open source, so anyone could contribute to its development.
• Has code that’s as understandable as plain English.
• Suitable for everyday tasks.
• Allowed for short development times.

It is pretty clear that Guido van Rossum reached his goals, because Python is an easy-to-learn and widespread language. The development times are short compared to other popular languages.

Python has a large and active community, so there are libraries (specialized packages of pre-written functions) in a variety of areas that expedite and simplify development. For instance, pandas is one of the most popular Python libraries. It is used by the data science community for data analysis and manipulation. It is safe to say that Python and its libraries dominate the field of data science.

There are a huge amount of resources for learning Python. If not used wisely, having access to so many resources can be a disadvantage. Python is easy to learn, but you need a well-designed and structured learning plan.LearnPython.com offers various paths to help you improve your Python skills. Our Learn Programming with Python track is a great place to start.

Is Python Still Popular?

According to the latest StackOverflow Survey 2021, Python was ranked third among the most commonly used programming languages. Considering the number of choices, the survey shows that Python is a very popular language.

Another indication of Python’s popularity is how it dominates the data science ecosystem. It is by far the most preferred programming language among data science practitioners and researchers. Almost every new tool comes with Python support first. There are, of course, other alternatives for data science. However, Python is ubiquitous in the field.

Python is very common in other areas, as well. It’s a favorite of these tech giants:

• Python is recognized as an official language at Google.
• YouTube is largely written in Python.
• Netflix, IBM, NASA, Pixas, Facebook, and Spotify use Python in their operations.
• Python is also used in Pinterest and Instagram.

These companies choose Python for a reason. It provides them with quick development times and easy maintenance, which boosts the productivity of developers and engineers.

What Is Your Python ROI?

Python is an easy-to-learn language, but you still need time and dedication to learn it. Thus, you need to consider what you will get in return.

You can pursue careers in a variety of fields after you learn Python. The jobs you can get when you learn Python make up a convincing and appealing list. You can work in the field of data science as a data scientist, data analyst, or data engineer. The software tools for each of these titles almost always have Python support. Furthermore, many of them have been developed with Python. The scope of Python is, of course, not limited to data science. Python is a preferred language in web development, mobile game development, and so on.

Python is suitable for freelancing careers, too. As we move towards a more remote-oriented workplace, freelancing is likely to be more common in the near future. Being a Python freelancer has several benefits. Here is an article that elaborates on how to survive as a Python freelancer.

You can use your Python skills to do personal projects as well. Python can increase your productivity by automating daily tasks. Here is a great article that explains how Python will improve your daily work.

The other ROI factor we’ll consider is how much you’ll make in a Python career. Most of us work because we need to earn money and make a living.

According to a Glassdoor survey, data scientist is ranked second among the 50 best jobs in America in 2021. The median base salary is $113,000. Machine learning engineer is ranked seventeenth in the same survey with an average base salary of $104,000. Data analyst is also in this list, with a salary of around  $70,000. A Python software engineer, meanwhile, has a median base salary of $110,000. Pretty sweet.

I think these salaries are good enough to make you agree that learning Python is a profitable investment.

In the last two years, we all have gone through difficult times because of the global pandemic. Companies began to allow employees to work remotely. This trend seems like it will continue, so we can expect companies to invest more in software tools and systems that make remote-working more productive. As a result, knowing a widely-used programming language will be a more valuable asset in the near future.

Python Is Worth Learning

Python is a great skill to have in 2021, and it will continue to be the same in the near future. If you plan to do software development or work in data science, I suggest you start your learning journey as soon as possible.

Consistency and hands-on practice are very important for learning a programming language. Even if it is just for a few minutes, try to write some code every day. When you read a piece of code, you may understand what it does – but you need to practice on your own to make the learning permanent.

Learn Programming with Python consists of 5 interactive Python courses that gradually increase in complexity. Plus, it’s all interactive; our online console lets you instantly test everything you learn. It is a great way to practice and it makes learning more fun.

What's more, you don't need to install or set anything up on your computer. You only need to be willing to learn; we'll take care of the rest. Wait no more – start learning Python today!