How To Learn Python
If you’ve spent any time researching web development and programming, you’ve seen or heard people talking about the programming language Python.
According to The Economist, Python is quickly approaching the position of the most widely used programming language globally. It matters because it means that understanding how to use Python gets you employed (especially crucial if you're wanting to recession-proof your talent). The more popular a coding language is, the more companies start utilizing it as their language of choice.
“Great,” you say, “that all makes a lot of sense.” But there’s one problem: how do you start learning Python?
This manual explains how to learn Python in detail. This tutorial will cover everything you ever wanted to know about Python, including what it is, how to use it, where to learn it, and much more.
Don't feel obligated to read it all in one sitting, by the way. Save this page to your favorites, visit it whenever you like, and take your time reading through the additional resources and articles that are linked. Soon you'll be an expert Python programmer!
Table of Contents
- Python: What Is It?
- What Can You Use Python For?
- What are Some Python Jobs?
- How (and Where) Do I Learn It?
- Bonus: Python Programming Examples, Resources, and Some Python Tools
What is Python?
Describe Python. Because Python is a general-purpose coding language, it may be used for various kinds of programming and software development in addition to web development, unlike HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
You ask what kinds of things. Later in the article, we'll go into even more detail regarding Python's applications, but the overall list includes:
- Back-end (or server-side) web and mobile app development
- The desktop app and software development
- Processing big data and performing mathematical computations
- Writing system scripts (creating instructions that tell a computer system to “do” something)
BUT WHY IS IT CALLED PYTHON?
One quick note that we need to add here:
Python’s name is neither a complicated tech metaphor nor a complicated acronym. Python is named after Monty Python.
Yes, THAT Monty Python.
When he started using Python, Guido van Rossum was also reading the published scripts from "Monty Python's Flying Circus," according to Python.org(opens in a new tab). He chose the name Python for the language because he wanted it to be short, distinctive, and a little mysterious.
A programming language with a sense of humor has to be loved, right?
WHO SHOULD LEARN PYTHON?
- Beginning coders
- Web and mobile app developers
- Software engineers
- Data Scientists
- Is anyone else working with or learning about computer programming!
WHY YOU SHOULD LEARN PYTHON
You can read a whole lot more about exactly why YOU should start learning and using Python, but for now, consider these top four reasons:
1. THERE ARE LOTS OF PYTHON JOBS
As of this writing, Indeed.com
has around 69,000 job vacancies for Python-related employment, from entry-level occupations like software engineering and quality assurance engineers to high-level ones like machine learning and artificial intelligence engineers.
2. PYTHON DOESN’T TAKE LONG TO LEARN
Python is a surprisingly simple language to learn considering its power. If you have prior experience with coding languages, according to industry experts, you may master the fundamentals of Python (including its syntax, keywords, and data types) in as little as 6-8 weeks(opens in a new tab).
3. YOU CAN LEARN PYTHON BASICS FOR FREE
No! It’s NOT too good to be true! You can learn those Python basics without spending a cent. Don’t believe us? Check out this comprehensive (and FREE) Python tutorial directly from the Python Software Foundation’s official website.
4. PYTHON IS THE POPULAR KID
As we have mentioned, Python is swiftly rising to the top of the list of programming languages used worldwide. Spending time and money to study a language that isn't used frequently enough to get a job is the last thing you want to do. That won't be a concern using Python.
Bonus Read:
What is Python?
What is Python? Python is a general-purpose coding language—which means that, unlike HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, it can be used for other types of programming and software development besides web development.
What is Python Used For?
How about some more specific examples of what Python is used FOR now that you have a better understanding of what Python is and why it's a good idea to start learning how to use it? You may delve quite deeply into Python, its applications, and the sectors that use it, but this is the TLDR. Python’s primary uses include:
1. GENERAL WEB DEVELOPMENT / BUILDING WEB APPS
Python's primary function as a scripting language aids in the development of websites and web applications. You might respond, "But wait for a second. Isn't JavaScript a scripting language employed in the creation of websites? Does knowing Python make JavaScript obsolete if I already know it?
Not at all!
True, both JavaScript and Python are used to create scripts for web development, however, Python is more frequently utilized on the back end of websites and apps than JavaScript is on the front end (the sections that users see on their screens and interact with) (building and maintaining the unseen infrastructure that makes websites and applications work).
Python’s combination of being simple to use (based on its English language-oriented syntax) and the availability of Python libraries and frameworks like Pyramid
Django, and Flask, all combine to make it a ubiquitous presence in back-end web projects.
2. SCIENTIFIC COMPUTING + DATA SCIENCE + MACHINE LEARNING
Python is also used for scientific computing and data science. It even has several science-friendly or science-specific libraries including:
- AstroPy for astronomy
- BioPython for biology and bioinformatics
- Graph-Tool for statistical analysis of graphs
- PsychoPy for neuroscience and experimental psychology
And if data science isn't sufficiently scientific for you, Python is a popular machine learning language (a tech field focused on artificial intelligence). Python's machine learning frameworks and libraries, such as TensorFlow and sci-kit-learn (opens in a new tab).
3. STARTUPS
Python is popular among entrepreneurs, especially tech businesses because it is simple to use and scalable (opens in a new tab). Python can therefore be used to create digital products that cater to a small number of users and continue to be updated and maintained as the user base increases to hundreds, thousands, or even millions.
4. FINTECH + THE FINANCIAL INDUSTRY
If you're looking to hire developers and engineers, are you curious about which programming language the financial industry (opens in a new tab) prioritizes? You guessed right. Python. Python should be at the top of your list of languages to learn if you're interested in working in finance because of its ability to crunch numbers, which makes it the ideal fit for FinTech.
What is Python Jobs?
So the next question is: how exactly does Python translate into jobs?
Jobs involving Python vary slightly from those involving coding languages with more specialized applications. Jobs in HTML and JavaScript, for instance, are frequently variations on those in web development. When you consider all the numerous ways Python may be utilized, it makes obvious why Python jobs are more varied. When you search for Python jobs on a site like Indeed(opens in a new tab)
, you’ll find:
Junior Positions
- Quality assurance engineers
- Entry-level software developers
- Junior Python developers
Higher-Level Positions
- Data Scientists
- Artificial Intelligence Researchers
- Machine Learning Engineer
The sheer variety of Python job openings can be perplexing, but the easiest approach to sort through them is to be specific about the kind of work you want to accomplish and how much experience you currently have. Below is a breakdown of several typical Python occupations, their overall job emphasis, and their average compensation to help you understand the Python employment market.
COMMON PYTHON JOBS
ENTRY LEVEL SOFTWARE DEVELOPER
It's obvious from the title that this is an entry-level position. Web apps and team-building tools are the work of software developers. Python is a widely used language in the software development process and having knowledge of and expertise with it is one of the keys to getting your first job as a software developer. Nevertheless, developing software does not always include using Python.
Average Salary: $52,491
QUALITY ASSURANCE ENGINEER
The entry- to the mid-level position that tests software and web applications is called a QA Engineer. Although QA engineers don't create the product they test, they DO automate and carry out their testing process using scripting languages like Python.
Average Salary: $61,459
JUNIOR PYTHON DEVELOPER
If you have any experience in web programming, this entry-level position will be one of the most familiar to you. Python developers are experts in the language who use it to create software, mobile applications, and websites. The primary focus of this role is completely on Python and Python-related components of a development project, as opposed to the more general software developer described above.
Average Salary: $80,994
SENIOR PYTHON DEVELOPER
This is the mid-to-senior-level variant of Python development. Same focus, but after you have 3-5 years of Python development under your belt.
Average Salary: $117,822
DATA SCIENTIST
Data scientists are mid- to senior-level positions in charge of deciphering and drawing conclusions from various types of data. The backgrounds of data scientists are often in mathematics, statistics, computer science, or other quantitative disciplines. Python is a popular programming language for data science since it can automate and analyse data.
Average Salary: $121,031
MACHINE LEARNING ENGINEER: $141,029
Engineers in machine learning are another mid- to senior-level Python position. These engineers create tools, software, and other computer systems that can "learn" and use new information without being explicitly told how. Engineering professionals who specialize in machine learning frequently have advanced degrees in mathematics and computer science. Python serves as the dominant programming language for machine learning, much like it does for data science, thanks to its proficiency with algorithms and data automation.
Average Salary: $141,029
WHERE CAN YOU FIND PYTHON JOBS?
Once you’re ready to look for Python jobs, where can you find them? That part’s easy. Here’s a list of go-to sources for Python job listings:
- Python Software Foundation Jobs Board
- PythonJobs.com
- The Free Python Job Board
- Pycoder’s Jobs
- Remote Python
- Indeed
- Glassdoor
How and Where to Learn Python
Sold on Python? Great! Wondering how to start learning it? Even better!
Python is a computer language that, despite its flexibility and power, could seem difficult to learn. You'd be mistaken. The general assumption is that the fundamentals of Python can be taught in less than a year, and occasionally in as little as a month or two, similar to other languages like JavaScript (depending on how many hours you dedicate). I'll say it again: you can learn Python in a few months.
Not only can you learn Python in a very reasonable time frame, but you can also start learning it for FREE.
How? Just like other coding languages, free, quality resources abound for learning Python basics, including:
- Learnpython.org
- The Python Foundation’s Beginner’s Guide
- Python-Guide.Org Hitchhiker’s Guide to Python
- Real Python: Learn Python Programming By Example
- Google’s Python Class
- Codecademy: Learn Python
- w3schools Python Tutorial
You can take any of these free online tutorials and courses for learning Python for beginners from the comfort of your couch. Yet, eventually, you'll want to spend money on a paid, instructor-led course to learn Python. Go no further than our own brand-new Skillcrush Python Course, arriving this Autumn, when that time comes.
