Python is one of the most popular programming languages today, and it’s commonly used in both software development and data science. It’s extremely simple to learn, yet incredibly powerful at the same time, which makes it one of the most widely used programming languages in the world right now. In this article, you’ll learn about a slew of different uses for Python programming that will demonstrate just how useful it can be in your day-to-day life, including web development and data analysis.
Even some of the most experienced Python programmers can sometimes be surprised by its capabilities. Here are 12 examples of how you can use Python that might just blow your mind...
1) Create an App with Python
For those interested in app development, Python makes a lot of sense. For one, it’s an open-source language, meaning developers aren’t hit with license fees. Plus, many large companies already use Python to create apps, so there’s high demand for developers who can speak it. And not only that, but it turns out that Python is well suited to build applications and games. If you are looking to get started with programming and app development in particular, learn how to code in Python first. You will be glad you did!
2) Create 2D Games with Python
Developing simple games with Python is a great way to learn to program, especially if you’re new to coding. You can do basic animation and create visual effects like shadows and lighting with ease. A couple of quick Google searches will lead you to excellent open-source frameworks that can get you up and running in no time and help you build your skills, not to mention a portfolio. Plus, there are thousands of existing game templates available online that use Python scripting; these are just waiting for you to customize them (or you can make your own from scratch). From there, branching out into 3D graphics becomes easier with newer open-source libraries like Pyglet or Panda3D.
3) Create Robots with Python
Being able to code using Python programming can help you create amazing robots and drones. From making your own autonomous robot to hacking a drone, you can use your coding skills to manipulate many of these devices that are being used today in everyday life. One common use for Python programming when it comes to robotics is creating an autonomous robot. Many people today want to build their own autonomous robot, but they aren’t sure where to start. With some basic knowledge of how robots work, you can actually turn them into functional creations.
4) Create Augmented Reality (AR) Apps with Python
Augmented reality has seen a huge explosion in popularity over the past year. With improvements to Google Glass and Samsung Galaxy gear, AR has quickly become accessible to anyone who wants to experiment with it. Creating an AR app in Python is far easier than you might think! Imagine a world where you could point your phone at any object and see all of its vital statistics. Augmented reality can make that dream a reality. To create an AR app with Python, first, learn about how computer vision works.
5) Make Simple and Quick Websites
A lot of startups want to make a cool website but don’t want to spend too much money doing it. In these cases, Python can be an excellent alternative. There are a number of open-source web development frameworks and platforms that use PHP or Perl programming languages, but they require you to know some HTML/CSS. If you know how to program in Python, however, you can work with several robust web app frameworks that don’t rely on any outside language at all (other than standard HTTP requests). Two such frameworks are Django and CherryPy.
6) Use Python to Write Songs
Because Python is a programming language, it can be used to make or write just about anything. So, why not use it to write your own song? Using Python, you can combine other programs and user-friendly interfaces, which allows you to build all sorts of different things. One such interface, called Sonic Pi (as in “sonic boom”), allows users to create music and play it back on an acoustic piano. While there are some preset songs that come with Sonic Pi when you download it, users have also been able to play along with their favorite songs with ease. In addition to being able to make music using Sonic Pi, you can also use Python for speech recognition and text-to-speech technology.
7) Python Is Perfect for Data Analysis
Python is a great language for data analysis, but it’s not limited to just one kind of data. So if you’re interested in exploring your own specific dataset, there are several ways you can use Python and its libraries. The choice is up to you, depending on what kind of data you want to analyze. Python is an easy and common tool for these types of tasks. Most Big Data companies are using Python for dataset analysis.
8) Python Automates Web Scraping
There are a lot of Python modules that can scrape the web. In my opinion, however, Scrapy is still one of the best choices. That’s because it’s extensible, which allows you to create custom selectors and pipelines; it has an intuitive, declarative programming style; and it includes a built-in mechanism for queuing/cron jobs. Web scraping is useful if you want to use someone else's APIs or if your application depends on dynamic data (such as sports scores) that isn't available via conventional means.
9) Python Makes Great Presentations
Most people prefer to present with PowerPoint, Keynote, or Google Slides. While these are fine for simple presentations, Python can help you make incredible presentations. In fact, Python makes it easy to do cool things like play video clips and run games from your slides during a presentation. The best part? It will be faster than anything you could build in PowerPoint or Google Docs, because you're writing it all in Python instead of a GUI tool! There are many resources out there that can help you get more information on how to do this yourself.
10) Python Runs on Most Platforms
Python is freely available on Windows, Mac, and Linux; plus, it's supported by a wide variety of operating systems. This means you can write code on one computer and easily run it on another—no downloads or installation required. Python even runs in web browsers, so you can play around with your code right in your browser.
11) Django Brings Websites to Life with Python
The combination of speed and ease of use has made Python an excellent choice for website and app programming. One example of a website based on Python is Django, a popular framework for creating dynamic websites. Sites built with Django often reach very high levels of traffic due to its stable nature, efficient code, and versatility. (It's also said to be fairly easy to learn.) Sites that are programmed in Python generally load faster than those written in other languages like C++ or Java; however, Python isn't always faster than all others. Regardless, it's important to note that web-development speed isn't just about language choice; JavaScript-based sites can be created at similar speeds as Python-based ones if they're done properly. A lot also depends on how complicated your site will be; more complex websites can take longer to create, whether you're working with Python or not.
12) Python Creates Awesome Animations
There are several ways Python is used today, but probably none cooler than how it’s used for animations. If you look at some of your favorite animated movies, such as The Simpsons Movie or Despicable Me, there are times when characters speak; their lips actually move with their words in sync. This makes for a more realistic look because if they didn’t match up with dialogue it would take viewers out of the movie experience. Creating animations like these are done using many different types of tools, including programs like Maya or Flash, and even coding languages such as C++, but Python plays into all these steps.
Are you impressed yet? Well, the great news is that you can learn Python in no time!
Python is a versatile programming language that's pretty easy to learn. If you're new to Python, don't worry—you can pick up the basics in no time. Using Python can make your life easier by automating routine tasks, but there are also some surprising things you can do with it that might not be on most people's radar. Hopefully this article has opened your eyes—and even piqued your interest—in what you can do with Python!