Why learn Python? Reasons and benefits of knowing this language

Did you know that there are over 700 different programming languages? In fact, certain sources note that there may even be around 9000 programming languages! Learning them all would be impossible, but luckily, the most commonly used today number around 50, and among these we can find Python. 

Want to know why you should learn Python, what it is and what it's for? Keep reading and discover why it's one of the most in-demand languages in the world of software development.

What is and why you should learn Python?

Python is a high-level programming language which is used to develop applications of all kinds. Unlike other languages, such as Java or .NET, it's a so-called "interpreted" language, meaning that it isn't necessary to compile it to run applications written in Python. Instead, these are executed directly by the computer using a program called “interpreter”, meaning there's no need to "translate" it to machine language.  

If you still ask yourself why you should learn Python, the truth is that it is a language that is easy to read and write due to its strong similarity to human language. It's also an open-source cross-platform language, meaning it's free, and thus allowing limitless software to be developed. Over time, Python has gained traction thanks to its simplicity and the many opportunities it offers, above all in recent years, as it facilitates working with artificial intelligence, big data, machine learning and data science, among other booming fields. 

To demonstrate just how simple Python is, below you can see a simple program written in this coding language, which can be easily understood without needing any programming know-how. This is for a small app to calculate salary per hour, so something that's super simple but also very handy:

hours = float(input("Enter your working hours: "))

cost = float(input("Enter what you charge per hour: "))

salary = hours * cost

print("Your salary is", salary)

In the first two lines, the user is asked to enter how many hours they have worked and what they charge per hour. In the third, the calculation of the total salary is made and saved in a variable. In the last line of code, the result is printed on screen. If, for example, you type that you have worked 8 hours at €15, on the screen you will see "Your salary is 120". 

Python's origins

Now that you know what Python does, you might also want to know how this incredible programming language came about. Although it may sound like something new, Python hails back to the beginning of the 90s, when Guido Van Rossum, a worker at Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI), a Dutch research centre, had the idea to develop a new language based on an old project, the 'ABC' programming language, which he himself had developed along with his colleagues.

His philosophy remained the same from the outset: to create a programming language that was very easy to learn, write and understand, without this hindering its potential to create applications of all kinds. Back then, the hardware available wasn't up to the job, and that's why learning Python has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years - because technological advances have allowed that initial goal to be achieved with this coding language that was before its time.

Why learn Python: where is it used?

As you have already seen, one of the main reasons why you should learn Python is that it is a cross-platform programming language, which means applications can be developed for any operating system with astonishing ease. Many technologies are compatible with Python thanks to its simplicity and incredible potential for data processing, a factor that is undoubtedly behind the resurgence of this coding language in the workplace, where more and more businesses are looking to hire Python experts.

• Data analytics and big data. The use of Python is widespread in two areas that are, and will continue to be, on everyone's lips: data analysis and big data. Its simplicity and the huge number of data processing libraries make Python ideal when it comes to analysing and processing a large amount of data in real time.

In fact, Python is currently being used by many companies, both directly and indirectly, because this high-level interpreted language is often behind the different data analytics software. Analysing huge quantities of data to turn it into information useful for big data is one of Python's specialities. 

• Data mining: this is a process to analyse large databases in order to predict future trends. This is a complex process which Python can shed light on by cleansing and organising the data and using automatic learning algorithms that streamline data analysis.

• Data science: in the wake of numerical packages such as Pandas or NumPy, Python is now overtaking MATLAB, a language used by scientists to crunch major volumes of data. The reason why you should learn Python is the same as in previous bullet points: its ease of use and potential to work with a large volume of data, together with the huge number of libraries available, make it ideal for this type of task. 

• Artificial intelligence: you're sure to have heard a lot about artificial intelligence (AI) in recent years. Much of the progress made is thanks to Python. Being easy to write, as well as robust, makes it the perfect AI ally. Its ability to capture complex ideas in a few short lines, as well as the large number of available frameworks, have made Python one of the programming languages that is driving AI.

• Blockchain: the distributed database Blockchain, known worldwide for being the foundation on which cryptocurrencies are based, is also highly compatible with Python. As a versatile, secure and quick language, it is useful for creating blockchains, and even lets developers create a simple blockchain in less than 50 lines of code, making a complex task simple.

• Machine learning: this is one of the technologies changing the world as we know it. Robotics and AI are now able to learn on their own, as they process more and more data. Thus they obtain ever more vital information that lets them make appropriate decisions. Of course, Python is also very effective in this field, and proves essential when it comes to efficient data processing.

• Web development: Python can also be used to develop complex websites in fewer lines of code, allowing these to be streamlined and better optimised. Django is one of the most popular Python frameworks today, and can be used to create dynamic and highly secure websites. Python is also commonly used for scraping, in other words, to extract information from all manner of websites, as done by Netflix, Instagram and Pinterest.

• Games and 3D graphics: another reason why you should learn Python is because it is also highly suitable for handling 3D graphics thanks to the large number of frameworks and tools available. PyGame, Blender or Arcade are some of the best known. One of the most popular games developed with Python is Battlefield 2, a war game, launched in 2005, in which the graphics, animations and various functions were developed using Python. 

Why is Python one of the most in-demand programming languages in the world?

Now that you know what it is and why you should learn Python, you've probably already figured out why it's one of the most demanded programming languages in the working world. Thanks to its close ties with some of the most important fields today, such as AI, machine learning and data analysis, a large number of expert Python programmers will be needed to develop exciting new features. 

Despite this language having been around for 30 years already, businesses are having major difficulties finding programmers with advanced Python skills. According to the Emerging Jobs Report 2020 by LinkedIn, the demand for Python developers has grown 48.73% compared to 2019. These vacancies, of course, are in the IT sector, telecommunications and financial services fields.

Why learn Python and change careers

So, why learn Python? As you can see, Python is a versatile, flexible, cross-platform and totally free open source programming language. Both at present and in the future, it will be very important due to its value for booming tech fields such as artificial intelligence, big data, data science, machine learning, Blockchain or web development. Its use is on the increase, meaning the demand for expert Python programmers is too.

Do you want to learn Python and have a career change? As part of this aim to boost employability and likewise help people to progress, overcome the challenges of the 4th industrial revolution, and grow in an inclusive and sustainable way, Banco Santander is committed to three key concepts: lifelong learning, reskilling and upskilling. To support this commitment, it has created the Santander Open Academy website, a unique and pioneering global programme. 

If you would like to keep growing personally and professionally, head over to the Santander Open Academy website, where you'll find 100s of opportunities to train together with internationally renowned institutions. Access training in technology, languages, research, investigation, soft skills, internships and female leadership, which will help you to improve your employability or refocus your career.

Do you want to become a lifelong learner and increase your job opportunities? The Santander Open Academy website has plenty of options to help you achieve your goals. Check out the website and remember: you can sign up for as many courses as you like. Make the most of this opportunity!