Python - The language of 21st Century

1. GUI-Based Desktop Applications:

Python has simple syntax, modular architecture, rich text processing tools and the ability to work on multiple operating systems which make it a desirable choice for developing desktop-based applications. There are various GUI toolkits like wxPython, PyQt or PyGtk available which help developers create highly functional Graphical User Interface (GUI). The various applications developed using Python includes:

• Image Processing and Graphic Design Applications:

  Python has been used to make 2D imaging software such as Inkscape, GIMP, Paint Shop Pro and Scribus. Further, 3D animation packages, like Blender, 3ds Max, Cinema 4D, Houdini, Lightwave and Maya, also use Python in variable proportions.

• Scientific and Computational Applications:

  The higher speeds, productivity and availability of tools, such as Scientific Python and Numeric Python, have resulted in Python becoming an integral part of applications involved in computation and processing of scientific data. 3D modeling software, such as FreeCAD, and finite element method software, such as Abaqus, are coded in Python.

• Games:

  Python has various modules, libraries and platforms that support development of games. For example, PySoy is a 3D game engine supporting Python 3, and PyGame provides functionality and a library for game development. There have been numerous games built using Python including Civilization-IV, Disney’s Toontown Online, Vega Strike etc.

2. Web Frameworks and Web Applications:

Python has been used to create a variety of web-frameworks including CherryPy, Django, TurboGears, Bottle, Flask etc. These frameworks provide standard libraries and modules which simplify tasks related to content management, interaction with database and interfacing with different internet protocols such as HTTP, SMTP, XML-RPC, FTP and POP. Plone, a content management system; ERP5, an open source ERP which is used in aerospace, apparel and banking; Odoo – a consolidated suite of business applications; and Google App engine are a few of the popular web applications based on Python.

3. Enterprise and Business Applications:

With features that include special libraries, extensibility, scalability and easily readable syntax, Python is a suitable coding language for customizing larger applications. Reddit, which was originally written in Common Lips, was rewritten in Python in 2005. Python also contributed in a large part to functionality in YouTube.

4. Operating Systems:

Python is often an integral part of Linux distributions. For instance, Ubuntu’s Ubiquity Installer, and Fedora’s and Red Hat Enterprise Linux’s Anaconda Installer are written in Python. Gentoo Linux makes use of Python for Portage, its package management system.

5. Language Development:

Python’s design and module architecture has influenced development of numerous languages. Boo language uses an object model, syntax and indentation, similar to Python. Further, syntax of languages like Apple’s Swift, CoffeeScript, Cobra, and OCaml all share similarity with Python.

6. Prototyping:

Besides being quick and easy to learn, Python also has the open source advantage of being free with the support of a large community. This makes it the preferred choice for prototype development. Further, the agility, extensibility and scalability and ease of refactoring code associated with Python allow faster development from initial prototype.

Since its origin in 1989, Python has grown to become part of a plethora of web-based, desktop-based, graphic design, scientific, and computational applications. With Python available for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux / UNIX, it offers ease of development for enterprises. Additionally, the latest release Python 3.4.3 builds on the existing strengths of the language, with drastic improvement in Unicode support, among other new features.