Main image of article Why Is Python So Popular?
shutterstock_368881394 Why is Python so popular? To the surprise of absolutely nobody, the language continued to rank highly on various lists of the world’s most popular programming languages in May, including the TIOBE Index and the PyPL PopularitY of Programming Language Index. Many programmers view Python as a language with a clean syntax and an expansive library; thanks to its longevity, there’s also a plethora of third-party documentation, meaning that anyone with a problem or question can (usually) find an answer fairly quickly. Like many popular languages, Python’s massive user base has created something of a positive feedback loop. Because there are so many people who program in it, it’s easy for new programmers to reach out to others for the help they need. In turn, that helps ensure that people keep programming in Python. (When documentation and fellow programmers are scarce, programming languages start to die.) It also helps if a programming language has something like a corporate sponsor. In Python’s case, it’s Google, which uses the programming language in a number of applications. Google’s developer website offers free classes in Python, including exercises and lecture videos. In a Web-development context, that sort of advertising can’t be bought. If you’re interested in learning more about the language, check out these resources: 5 Reasons to Learn Python Aside from its popularity, there are a number of very good reasons to learn Python, including its utility as a general-purpose language, its constant evolution, and its relative ease of use. Top 5 Python GUI Frameworks The Python wiki on GUI programming lists over 30 cross-platform frameworks in addition to Pyjamas, a tool for cross-browser Web development. Which ones should you work with? Web Development in Python and web2py Python offers some powerful tools for building Web assets. Its ample documentation can also prove a big help if you find yourself stuck. Using Python for High-Performance Frameworks Here’s a breakdown of the language's asynchronous programming abilities, including multi-core and vectorized programming in various dialects and implementations. Learning Enough Python to Land a Job It’s one thing to learn enough of a language to noodle around; it’s another to use your knowledge of that language to land a full-time position at a company.