- Ease of Learning: Python's syntax is clear, intuitive, and almost English-like, which makes it an excellent language for beginners. Its readability means that newcomers can grasp the basics quickly and focus on programming concepts rather than intricate syntax rules.
- Versatility: Python is a versatile language used in various fields, including web development, data analysis, machine learning, scientific computing, and automation. This broad range of applications makes Python a valuable skill for many career paths.
- Strong Community and Resources: Python has a large and active community. This results in a wealth of tutorials, documentation, forums, and third-party libraries, making it easier for beginners to find help and resources.
- Widely Used in Industry: Python is used by many companies and is often sought after in job markets. Familiarity with Python opens up numerous job opportunities in various sectors.
- Great for Prototyping: Python allows for quick development and prototyping. Ideas can be tested and implemented faster in Python compared to some other languages, which is beneficial for beginners who need to see quick results for motivation.
- Extensive Libraries and Frameworks: Python's standard library and third-party modules cover everything from web frameworks like Django and Flask to scientific and numeric libraries like NumPy, SciPy, and Pandas. This makes it easier to perform a wide range of tasks without the need for extensive coding.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: Python is cross-platform, meaning it can run on various operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux. This makes it accessible to a wider range of users.
- Integration Capabilities: Python can be integrated with other languages and technologies, making it a flexible choice for various applications.
- Educational Focus: Python has been adopted in many educational environments, from introductory programming courses to advanced computer science programs.
- Scalability and Efficiency: While Python may not be the fastest language in terms of execution speed, it's efficient for most applications, and its scalability makes it suitable for small projects as well as large-scale applications.
Why learn computer programming?
It provides a different way of thinking and approaching problems. Programming forces you to have to break complex problems into small tasks and discrete functions. This type of thinking carries over into other aspects of life and work and can help tackle non-programming related problems.
Learning multiple languages
As you learn Python, you will both be learning a specific syntax and set of rules that are specific to this one language. However, you will also be learning a more general concept of computer programming and a way of thinking. This is similar to learning a spoken language. In fact, as you learn more languages, you will find it easier to pick up new languages.
This is why we start with Python and then will move on to other languages, such as Javascript or C/C++.