APPLICATIONS OF PYTHON – HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE

APPLICATIONS OF PYTHON – HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE

Python has been nothing less than a global phenomenon. It has been ruling or is about to rule every possible realm of Computer Science.

Given the strength, versatility and popularity of Python, this language has found endless applications.

While most of us imagine Python only for Data Science, Machine Learning or Game Development, the language itself has expanded its horizon to a wide array of fields.

It is sometimes surprising to see that despite of being actively used for a host of activities, only a few applications of Python are widely known. This could be attributed to the fact that most of us learn the basics of Python and then our product-oriented minds allow us to look only for Data Science and Game Development. But, but, but there’s more to the story than you could imagine. Let us see how good is our Jack of All Trades (Python) with its uses:

1 Web Development: 

Python has found tremendous utility in this sector. With Django and RESTful API already on the trot, the language has developed exciting frameworks to discover newer possibilities. 

Web Scraping projects have been predominated by BeautifulSoup and Requests libraries of Python. 

Frameworks:

Django

Pyramid

Micro-Frameworks:

Flask

Bottle

Other Libraries:

Requests – A powerful HTTP Client Library

BeautifulSoup – HTML Parser

Besides these, Python’s Standard Library provides support for HTML, XML, JSON, FTP, IMAP and other protocols. It also has Content Management Tools such as Django CMS and Plone. Lots, lots and we have just started. 

2 Scientific and Numeric:

Python has always been a brilliant student when it comes to Science and Mathematics. Its love for these two subjects is evident from its powerful yet uncannily named Pandas, NumPy and iPython packages.

SciPy – Collection of packages for Mathematics, Science & Engineering

Pandas – Library for Data Analysis and Modeling

NumPy – A typical Math Geek, deals with complex numerical calculations

iPython – Interactive Shell that supports Visualizations and Parallel Computing.

3 Database Access: 

Python is an absolute champion when it comes to handling databases. Python provides Custom and ODBC access to all major databases such as:

Oracle

MySQL

MS SQL Server

PostgreSQL

Python works well even with object databases such as Durus and ZODB.

4 Desktop GUIs: 

The Tk GUI Library is commonly used for most Binary Distributions of Python. Tk helps you draft user interface for an application. It features packages such as:

WxWidgets

Kivy

Qt using Pyqt or Pyside

5 ERP and Ecommerce: 

So if you mean business, business is here. Python has a massive impact on Business Development. It runs the core of many ERP and Ecommerce applications of which the major are given below:

ODOO – It is a management software offering a range of Business Applications.

Tryton – Three-tier General Purpose Application Platform

6 Software Development: 

Python is an impact player in Software Development Field. Developers usually employ it as a Support Language for build control and management, testing, bug tracking etc. 

SCons – Primarily used for Build Control

Build Bot & Apache Gump – Used for automated and continuous compilation and testing

7 Game Development: 

And now for the more (or the most) exciting part, we are finally dealing with Games. It is common to have people asking you about developing a game if you tell them that you have started learning Python. This is one particular application that every newbie looks forward to. The libraries supported for game development are as follows:

PyGame

PyKyra

A lot many 3D rendering libraries are also available in Python (you name it and we have it!)

Now still there are a few areas where Python has good potential, but it awaits to be tapped.

8 Network Programming: 

While the term altogether would seem something different, the Twisted Python framework works on Asynchronous Network Programming. Python caters only to the lower levels in this domain.

9 Educational Purposes:

We all know how friendly Python (the language of course) is. And correctly so, it is employed to introduce programming at school level. 

For the big players now, we enter the zone where Python is at its lethal best:

10 Artificial Intelligence

11 Machine Learning

12 Data Analysis

13 Computer Vision

Absolutely no prizes for guessing. Python provides the best support for AI and ML. Undoubtedly, your future depends on the way you use Python now – for the future is at the sake of AI and ML. R has been a competitive player for Data Science but then Python has been an overall winner.  

Time for our Special Mention Category. There are a few applications of Python which we are using at an increasing rate to make our lives easier. But they are not simple enough to be categorized easily. Actually, these are interdisciplinary areas that require an able support from Computer Science and Python came to the rescue:

14 Web Scraping

15 3D CAD Applications

16 Scripting

17 Robotics

So with its hands and feet, oh sorry, with its fangs and teeth in every possible meat, Python indeed has applications here, there and everywhere.

What do you use Python for?