What can you do with Python? 5 real-world Python applications

The word is out on Python. The simplicity, limitless range of external libraries, and committed community of Pythonistas are fundamentals of Python that even a beginner developer has probably heard before. These features have also distinguished Python as the most used programming language in the world, currently^[1].

You're not here to learn all the reasons why you should learn Python as either your first introduction to coding or your next learning endeavor in a long line of languages. You're here to be shown why learning Python is worth your time based on the career and project you see in your future. For our purposes, It helps to view Python as a tool. We'll explore not necessarily the tool itself, but rather all that can be built by that tool. It's pointless to learn how to grip and strike with a hammer if you don't have an idea of what to do with it once you achieve proficiency. If you don't know what your future holds just yet, that's more than OK. Hopefully, the following sections can provide some inspiration through examples. Many major industries and companies are already using Python's boundless applications to turn their visions into reality.

Python is a versatile and powerful tool that stretches to every corner of our world. The use cases of Python are in everything from Luke Skywalker's lightsaber to your tedious health care plan. You don't know Python until you know what it can do.

We'll cover:

5 real-world applications of Python
- 1 . Music
- 2 . Entertainment
- 3 . Education
- 4 . Space
- 5 . Health care
What Python's presence means for you
Wrapping up and next steps

5 real-world applications of Python

Python code is in everything. The Python-based libraries and modules that can be freely and easily used in any project make certain that the language can be everywhere. Some examples of these libraries are NumPy for machine learning and Pandas for data analysis. Python and its endless list of libraries are things that even the most different industries and companies have in common. As a tool, Python can lead you down any career path that you could dream of. Let's take a look at just a few examples of where Python thrives.

1. Music

The Python programming language brings you personalized playlists to brighten up your day. Spotify uses Python to support its back-end web development and data science. Have you ever wondered how Spotify knows exactly what to put in your personalized playlists? You can thank the data analysis capabilities of Python. Over 80% of Spotify's back-end web development and data analysis processes are written in Python.

Spotify is also a vocal and proud member of the Python community, sponsoring large conferences such as PyCon and local groups such as NYC PyLadies. A thriving company like Spotify doesn't connect its name to a language so enthusiastically unless it performs sensationally. Spotify is always hiring Python developers. If you've always pictured yourself working with music while using your favorite programming language, then these are opportunities you should keep an eye out for in the future.

2. Entertainment

You don't have to write or act to get into the entertainment business. You can code too! Python appears frequently in the entertainment media industry. Industrial Light and Magic, the visual effects company behind films such as Star Wars and Jurassic Park, has been using Python to run its CGI operating systems and lighting automation for decades. And Netflix has been becoming more and more Python-oriented every year. The company depends on Python to run its Cassandra database. Cassandra clusters and modules are used for automation (including the recommendations page that everybody loves), data analytics, and error monitoring.

Metaflow, a Python web framework, is responsible for machine learning projects at Netflix from the prototype to the production stage. The framework handles millions of data points and organizes them among thousands of CPUs. YouTube was also initially built using mostly Python and still heavily uses it today among other languages. Not just exclusive to Netflix, the machine learning abilities of Python are extensively used in our modern entertainment landscape.

3. Education

Python is considered the ideal language to educate new developers. The simple syntax of Python is easy for students to comprehend what commands are going to produce, no matter where in the world those students might be. This organization is due to indentation in Python, which places each instruction in its own individual line of code. This "to-do list" format makes it easy to see why each line of code is placed where it is. Other languages, such as Java, JavaScript, and C, use potentially confusing curly braces and semicolons scattered around the code to organize instructions.

Adding to Python's readability is the fact that it is the programming language that most closely resembles written text. If you’re looking for an easy first language to pick up, or a way to teach the next generation of coders, then Python is the language for you. Look below to see how the phrase "Hello, World" is written in Python versus Java. One is housed neatly on one line, while the other does not appear so straightforward.

Python:

print('Hello, World')

Java:

class HelloWorld {
    public static void main( String args[] ) {
        System.out.println( "Hello, World" );
    }
}

4. Space and Astronomy

Find yourself looking toward the stars? Python is a key contributor to solving challenges faced by astronomers and astronauts. Some celestial tasks that Python performs include automating telescope systems, generating visualized maps of meteor showers, and even collecting and analyzing data from the Hubble Space Telescope.

Data sets of what we observe in space are noisy and complex. Python’s data science capabilities, such as data scripting, Big Data, data visualization, and web scraping allow data scientists to extract knowledge from a sea of information. Showing that it's much more than just a programming language, astronomers put their faith in Python to run complex machines, collect vital data, and automate critical operations so that they can complete their goals efficiently and accurately.

5. Health care

If you want to use your future mastery of programming to help save lives, then Python just might be the language for you. Python allows health care professionals to do their jobs by managing and organizing the immense load of data sets from patients. These data scientists depend on Python for image-based diagnostics and predictive analysis to show them the information they need to make the best decision possible regarding treatment plans.

Python and its external modules are also open-source and freely available, which is a great help to hospitals that are conservative with resources. The extensive library of Python modules also ensures that the sensitive and personal data being collected can remain secured. If Python is a tool that is called upon for life-saving projects, then it can definitely handle any task you could throw at it.

What Python's presence means for you

Obviously, Python is everywhere, but what does this mean for you? If you are a new developer, then look at the uses of Python as a way to enter the industry you've always envisioned yourself in. Hopefully, this overview has inspired you to pursue a career in one of these fields after you've mastered Python programming for yourself.

The scientific computing and data analysis capabilities of Python are in demand and a great opportunity to enter virtually any field. If you're a seasoned programmer who is already proficient in Python, then don't be afraid to chase the projects and careers you want. No matter what goal you wish to conquer, Python is a great tool for getting there.

Wrapping up and next steps

Despite Python's relative simplicity, learning Python does not happen overnight. With some training from the paths and courses and Educative, your journey to Python mastery is in great hands. After some time and focus, this tool will open up a world of possibilities. Python developers have a secure place in virtually any industry. Putting Python in your toolbox can get your foot in the door in any industry that depends on the language. In the meantime, please don't hesitate to continue exploring the vast Python courses and paths on Educative! This includes our Full Speed Python course!

Happy learning!

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