Among the many programming languages, one that has been gaining attention in recent years is Python.
For those of you who have heard the name before but are wondering what kind of language it is, this article will introduce the features of Python, the benefits of studying Python now, and examples of services that have actually been created using Python.
This article is for people like this
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People who want to learn the basics of Python
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People who are considering becoming a Python engineer
Recommended Python Courses for Beginners
What kind of programming language is Python?
Python is an interpreted, high-level, general-purpose programming language developed by Guido van Rossum from the Netherlands in the early 1990s.
It is based on the idea of ”making it easy to write code that is easy to read and efficient,” and is a very simple language compared to languages such as C and Java, making it very easy to get started with even for those studying programming for the first time.
Python is widely used in a variety of applications, including web application development, system management, scientific and technical calculations, and web systems. Over the past decade or so, the boom in machine learning has led to it being highly regarded as a scientific and technical calculation tool.
What are the features of Python?
Python is used in many global services that you have probably used, such as Google, Instagram, YouTube, Evernote, etc.
Why is Python so popular? Here are some of the reasons:
- “Simplicity” is the basis of the design philosophy
- Easy to learn even for beginners
- There are tens of thousands of “libraries” of development programs
- It has a wide range of uses, from mobile apps to web apps and drone programming.
The secret to its popularity is that it hits the sweet spot for developers: it’s simple to learn, has a wide range of uses, and because so many people use it, there’s a lot of code available to read through the community.
What is the future of Python and what is its demand?
When learning Python, many people think about the future prospects of Python engineers. As I have summarized earlier, Python is a language used in the field of machine learning (AI) and is used in many global applications such as YouTube, Evernote, Google, and Instagram, so it is a language that is gaining popularity worldwide.
In addition, there are still not many Python engineers in Japan, so if you can improve your level to a certain level, it can be expected to be useful when changing jobs or looking for employment.
Learning is not easy, but let’s study diligently towards our future goals as future Python engineers!
What is the market value of a Python engineer?
As mentioned above, Python is a very popular language because it is easy to learn and is used by many of the world’s largest IT companies, including Apple, Google, and Microsoft, making it a popular language.
In other words, there is a high demand for Python engineers.
Due to their strength in areas where future market expansion is expected, such as data analysis, AI, and blockchain, some Python engineers are being offered job offers with annual salaries of over 10 million yen.
If you type in “Python engineer” on job sites such as Indeed or Green, you will notice the large number of job listings that come up.
According to a survey by BizReach, Python was ranked third highest in median annual salary by programming language in 2018.
For that reason, there are many rivals in this field, but I believe that if you study hard and build your career, it is an engineering job that offers a variety of possibilities.
Benefits of Python
Among programming languages, there are many benefits to learning Python. Here are some of the most representative ones.
Easy to learn even for beginners
Python is said to be an easy language to learn even for coding beginners because of its simple grammar.
Because of its simple grammar, the code is easy to read and write. It is also a relatively easy language to rewrite code written by others.
It is a versatile and widely used language.
Python is a language used in a wide range of fields. Its uses are diverse, including web application development, system management, scientific and technical calculations, and web systems. Over the past decade or so, it has been highly regarded as a scientific and technical calculation tool due to the boom in machine learning.
It is also used by global services such as Instagram and YouTube. It is ranked 4th in the world as a programming language, which shows how high its demand is.
There are many jobs available and the demand is high
As mentioned earlier, Python is a highly versatile language, and the job market also shows that there is a high demand for Python engineers and programmers.
If you search for “Python” on the major job search site “Indeed,” you will find 360 job listings. (As of November 28, 2021)
Since it is used by many companies and services, there is a need for manpower. Of course, the level of knowledge required varies depending on the company, but it can be said that it is a recommended language for starting a career as a programmer.
There is little source code
Python is a language with a small amount of source code. Therefore, simple programming can be completed in a short amount of time, and its simplicity makes it relatively difficult to make mistakes.
Open source, so it’s free to use
Python is open source, so anyone with an internet connection and a PC can use it for free. You are free to use trademarks on services and web applications created using Python. Not only does it have simple code, but these points also make it an easy language for beginners who want to learn programming.
Used in application development
By using frameworks (such as Django and Flask), Python can also be used for web application development. Python’s unique strength is that it allows you to write simple and robust code and quickly build web apps.
Strong in data collection and analysis
Python has a wealth of libraries that can be used for data analysis and data collection. For example, Pandas is a library specialized for data manipulation and analysis, and NumPy supports numerical calculations. Furthermore, by using libraries such as Matplotlib and Seaborn, data visualization can be easily performed, making it a recommended language for those who want to utilize data.
Recommended Python Courses for Beginners
8 Use Cases for Python
Machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) development
Many people probably think of Python as being synonymous with machine learning.
Python has a very rich library of libraries, including TensorFlow for numerical calculations , the machine learning library scikit-learn, and the deep learning library Py-Torch, and libraries in the AI field are also available worldwide as open source.
In the future, developments in the field of AI will be attracting worldwide attention, which is also the reason for Python’s popularity.
Use Cases
- Uber, the taxi dispatch app;
- Skyscanner, a search system for ticket reservations
- “KUKA” – an industrial robot manufacturing service incorporating AI
- SoftBank Robotics’ machine learning robot “Pepper”
Web Application Development
Python is particularly often used in the development of large platform-based services.
Well-known frameworks include Django , a full-stack framework, and Flask, which is suitable when speedy and agile development is required .
Use Cases
- The world’s largest search engine: Google
- YouTube, the world’s largest video sharing service, is owned by Google.
- Online storage service “Dropbox”
- “Instagram” is a photo and video sharing service by Facebook.
- The world’s largest bulletin board site “Reddit”
Mobile Application Development
Python is also used for mobile application development on Android and iOS.
Use Cases
- News distribution service “Gunosy”
etc.
Desktop Application Development
By utilizing Python, you can also develop desktop applications that are compatible with Windows, Mac, and iPad.
Use Cases
- BitTorrent is a file sharing platform based on the P2P protocol.
- 3DCG production app “Blender”
- Memorization-based learning app “Anki”
Embedded Application Development
Although it is not yet widely used, Python is also used in embedded applications.
Data Analysis
Python is also used in data analysis and analytics tools that crawl, scrape, and process big data.
Use Cases
- Data analysis and visualization tool “Tableau”
- Major EC site “Rakuten” (Big Data Analysis)
- Gourmet portal site “Gurunavi”
Blockchain Development
Python is also used in the fintech, cryptocurrency, and blockchain fields.
Use Cases
・LINE Token Economy Business
etc.
Excel operation automation program development
By using Python, you can link data on the web with Excel, which is expected to significantly reduce work time. There are libraries for Excel automation, so even beginners can easily develop it, which is an attractive feature. If you are a beginner, give it a try!
Recommended Python Courses for Beginners
What is Python grammar?
Here is a summary of how to output “Hello World” using Python using the simplest basic syntax.
First, open a text editor or notepad and enter the following code:
```print(“Hello World”)```
Save the file in your text editor as “hello.py”. Open a command prompt, navigate to the location where you saved the file, and type “python hello.py” to run it.
$ python hello.py
Hello World!
This will display “Hello World” on the command prompt. As you can see, this is a very simple code.
To make it easier to understand how simple it is, I will also explain what would happen if you wrote the same code in “C” and “Java”.
▼C language description
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
printf(“Hello World\n”);
return 0;
}
▼Description for Java
public class HelloWorld{
public static void main(String[] args){
System.out.println(“Hello World”);
}
}
At a glance, you can see how simple Python code is.
Benefits of learning Python
Some of the benefits of learning Python include:
- Efficient data acquisition and analysis
- Be involved in development in areas such as AI and blockchain
- It is expected that the development of large-scale services will become more efficient.
- Recommended as a first step for developers
It is an easy field to study, and the opportunity to be involved in development in a field where demand will likely increase in the future is a big attraction.
There are also benefits for non-engineers, such as greatly streamlining data acquisition and analysis tasks.
How to install Python
You can install Python from the official Python website, regardless of whether you are using Windows, Mac, or Linux.
https://www.python.org/downloads/
Click the button that says “Download Python” to download it, and then you can use it after configuring it. If you have a Mac, download the version for Mac, if you have Windows, download the version for Windows, and if you have Linux, download the version for Linux.
Try to choose the latest version whenever possible.
How to learn Python from scratch
Self-taught
There are two main ways to learn Python if you have no prior experience: self-study or school.
There are many ways to learn Python on your own, as there are online learning programs and textbooks available for sale. However, it is not easy to study diligently while working from your regular job or school.
Also, in the case of textbooks, the amount of information can feel insufficient due to the format of the paper book they are published in. Also, when you have a question about something or want to ask about the work, you have no choice but to look up the information yourself and find the answer.
Self-study has the advantage that you can study at your own pace and without incurring any costs, but many people give up after three days, so it may be a difficult option for anyone other than those with a lot of guts.
Go to school
Although attending a school does incur an initial cost, the big advantage is that you’ll feel like you’re getting your money’s worth, and you can receive professional feedback and ask questions about anything that concerns you as you move forward.
One of the school’s strengths is the support it provides to help you improve, such as being able to easily consult and ask questions to professional instructors, and receiving feedback on your coding so you can efficiently improve your level.
Although it may cost more than self-study, you should study seriously with the mindset that it will pay for itself as an investment in the future. Another good point about going to school is that you can make friends to study with. It will help you stay motivated, and you may even be blessed with a future business partner or good friend.
The disadvantage of going to school is that you have to commute to school. For better or worse, you have to study in an offline environment, so if you are busy or there is no school nearby, you may be concerned about the need to set aside time to commute.
Study at an online school
Online schools can eliminate the disadvantages of schools that require students to attend classes. As the name suggests, the advantage of online schools is that you can learn online just as you would offline.
It is recommended for people who are usually busy because you can study online in your spare time between work, school, childcare, etc. It is also good for people who live in rural areas where there are no programming schools within commuting distance.
Just like offline schools, online schools often offer courses that provide comprehensive support, such as assistance with finding employment or changing jobs, and the ability to easily consult with instructors.
There are several ways to do this, so choose the method that works best for you and take your first step towards becoming a Python engineer!
Recommended courses for those who want to learn Python without prior experience
If you want to learn Python, but want a study method that suits your lifestyle, we recommend the DigiHari Online School Python course .
In this course, you will learn how to install and use Python, and then develop a web application using the Django web framework.
DigiHari Online School is an online course, so you can study whenever and wherever you want. If you are a beginner who wants to master Python, why not consider it as an introductory course?
Benefits of getting Python certification
There are certification exams for Python. Here, I would like to summarize what kind of benefits you can expect from obtaining a certification in the first place.
Recommended Python Courses for Beginners
You can focus on improving your basic Python skills.
This is not so much about obtaining a qualification, but rather the benefits of the learning process. As mentioned above, Python is used in the development of global services, such as in the AI field, and is one of the programming languages in high demand.
In addition, the code is simpler than other languages, so even beginners can learn it easily. On the other hand, learning programming requires perseverance. Unless you create some kind of trigger, it is difficult to find the motivation to actively face the black screen.
Therefore, by applying for a qualification exam and studying with determination, you can effectively acquire skills.
The textbook and the type of questions that will be asked from which areas are specified to a certain extent before the exam, so as long as you prepare, you should be able to prepare to a certain extent. If you are a beginner and you set the goal of obtaining the qualification as a milestone, you will be able to study with a moderate sense of tension rather than studying lazily.
You can objectively prove your technical skills.
It is quite difficult to prove an engineer’s skill level to the outside world. Also, Python engineers come at a variety of levels, from beginners to experts. If you obtain a qualification, you can impress others at job interviews by saying, “Oh, I guess I know a certain amount of stuff.”
Also, if you are not employed by a company but work as a freelancer, listing the qualifications you have obtained on your business card will make it easier to build trust with clients.
In this way, aiming to obtain a qualification brings benefits such as the ability to study intensively in a short period of time, and passing the qualification makes it easier to prove your skills to the outside world.
The exam fee for the Python3 Engineer Certification Basic Exam is about 10,000 yen, so it’s not that expensive, so be sure to give it a try!
Difficulty of Python certification exam
The Python 3 Engineer Certification Basic Exam requires a 70% correct answer rate to pass, and it is said that the pass rate for test takers is around 70-80%.
Although the pass rate for this qualification test is relatively high, you should still be cautious and make sure to thoroughly review the basics.
The Python3 Engineer Certified Data Analysis Exam tests your application skills more, so it is more difficult than the basic exam. It’s not so difficult that you can’t pass it, so make sure to study properly according to the textbook.
How to study for Python certification exams
Studying for the Python certification exam is quite simple.
Study according to the textbook
That’s right. It’s a method of studying by coming up with your own strategies, following the textbooks set for each exam.
If you have acquired a certain level of basic skills, it would be a good idea to study using this method with the goal of obtaining a qualification.
Learn Python by yourself based on a textbook for absolute beginners
If you are a complete beginner, it would be a good idea to purchase a textbook for beginners and study it before tackling the textbook.
When studying on your own, if you are busy or lack motivation, your studies will inevitably be put off, so forcing yourself to take qualification exams to prevent this from happening is an important technique.
How to become a Python engineer? Tips for self-studying with no experience
Learn on the website
Another way to learn Python is to use websites. Here are some of them:
Dot Install
This website features simple and easy-to-understand video lessons. You can learn a wide range of topics from basic Python usage to applied topics.
Python.jp
This is a community site that provides Python information in Japanese. It has tutorials, information articles, forums, etc. You can learn the basics of Python from the introductory course for Python from scratch .
Progate
This is an interactive website where you can learn programming, and it also offers Python courses.
Learn the basics of Python at school
If you are a beginner and find yourself giving up on self-study or self-learning sites, I recommend that you learn the basics of Python from a professional at a school before taking the qualification exam.
Even if you are enthusiastic about self-study, it will be a waste if you end up giving up because you don’t know how to study or there is no feedback, and you don’t get a sense of accomplishment.
That’s why one option is to invest in a school where you can receive instruction from professionals, cutting off your escape route and learning.
FAQ
Do you have dedicated Python engineers?
There are many engineers who specialize in Python. Python is a general-purpose programming language used for a wide range of purposes, and is used in a variety of fields, including web development, data analysis, machine learning, scientific computing, and natural language processing. Incidentally, ChatGPT, which has been a hot topic recently, is also developed in Python.
However, being able to use languages other than Python certainly broadens the scope of your work. “SQL” and “Javascript” are good candidates for this.
Can I learn Python even if I have no experience?
Of course. Python is often said to be a relatively easy programming language to learn, even for those with no prior experience. Python has an easy-to-read syntax, and its code is more concise and easier to understand than other programming languages. In addition, there are abundant learning resources and community support, so even beginners can steadily acquire skills.
What development environment is required for Python?
Prepare a PC and a minimum internet environment. Then install Python. Also prepare a text editor and terminal.
If you want to study Python seriously, try Digihari Online School
For those who want to start learning Python, Digihari Online School is an online school where you can study at any time and any place you like.
This course is easy to learn and incorporates the educational essence of DigiHari, which has produced many creators since its founding in 1994. If you want to acquire Python skills in earnest with a curriculum that suits your lifestyle, be sure to check out the course page.
In this course, you will learn how to install and use Python, and develop a web application using the web framework Django.
This is the perfect introduction for beginners who want to master Python.
Digihari Online School will fully support you as you take on the challenge.
Digihari Online School will fully support you as you take on the challenge.
Digihari Online School Python Course
summary
In this article, we have summarized what you can and cannot do with Python, its grammar, installation methods, etc. Python is expected to become more and more popular in the future. Why not start learning it yourself?