Python

Question

Is python is overrated? I am just asking

Answer 1

When learning about programming, initial sense of success and achievement can be a significant factor of motivation. Sololearn is also built around psychological methods that aim to give positive reinforcement for learners.

Java was initially advertised as a language that is very easy to learn. But let's face it: when it comes to the first steps, what is the first and most simple program we can write? Print "Hello World" to the screen.
- In Python it is literally the same statement, the only thing to understand is the punctuation (parentheses and quotation marks).
- In Java you would need at least 5 lines of code if you follow the usual style conventions of putting the closing braces in new lines. You immediately encounter 5-6 essential keywords, and you need to learn about object oriented design and the JVM to even understand your first program. Not to speak of the syntactic burden of semicolons, braces, parentheses, and angle brackets. It is a huge leap, compared to how simply you can do it in Python.

Answer 2

This discussion started with something else, but if we talk about simplicity for new users, Python has an advantage.

I did this comparison once, more for fun, to print ”Hello, world!” in different languages:

Basic
10 PRINT "Hello, World!"

C
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
printf("Hello, World!");
return 0;
}

C++
#include <iostream>
int main() {
std::cout << "Hello World!";
return 0;
}

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

Javascript
* console.log('Hello, World');

Python
print("Hello, World!")

Which language do you think a newbie prefer? 🙂

Answer 3

The benefits of Python for beginners

- Syntax is easy to read and understand, not much clutter. You can write Python that almost reads like English prose.
- It is an interpreted language, you don't have to learn about hardware and compilation to use it.
- Interactive REPL gives instant feedback, you can try things quickly.
- Great tooling, support for IDE, and interactive notebooks for exploratory data analysis and data science.
- Excellent documentation. Easy to find answers, solutions to coding problems, and tutorials, because many people use it.
- Standard library is very large and offers a lot of tools out of the box, for example to deal with networks, web requests, json and xml processing, compression, cybersecurity.
- Even if something is not available in standard library, almost guaranteed that an open source library can be downloaded via the package manager (pip).
- Supports a variety of coding styles: imperative, object oriented, functional.

Answer 4

1.

It's just a popular language for variety of reasons like any other programming/scripting/mark-up language.

In my opinion, most of the beginners in programming start learning python because they don't know what to do and where to start ( that was in my case ).

They seek for help around the internet, most people say to learn python because it's "beginner friendly" - well like any other programming language, it has: fundamentals, "easy" topics, "hard"/advanced topics. It's only easy when you understand it, when you move into advanced stuff it doesn't seem to be easy if you don't understand it.

I saw many comments on new python courses where people were saying at the start that it is easy, but as we moved into some advanced topics, it was hard for people to understand. So is it really beginner friendly?

Answer 5

2.

Then we have this group of society who says python is a bad language for variety of reasons, well, they've learned python they've used it, they've recommended others to start learning it as their first language, and they still say it is a bad language.

So why do these people recommend learning something they call "bad" and not any other programming language?

People have to understand that "easy/hard" levels are dependent on people, and many people have different preferences. They have to search up what something brings up to them if they want to learn it. Not only the programming language itself, but also variety of topics related to IT/Computer Science.

Many people ignore this part, move into python, realise it's not what they wanted/expected --> doing research --> changing language --> calling python a bad language & recommend others to learn it as a first language.

Might be a bit off topic, but that's a small part of how I see the first layer of "programming society"

Answer 6

Lamron I think you make a fair balanced assessment of it. Many variables in people and their needs of application. There's a reason there are so many programming languages as there are many different needs to fulfil and those can change and develop over time.

I think the most important point you touched upon is that of the individual identifying their needs they need and want to use it for.

Python can be a very powerful tool, but like all tools it has stronger and weaker aspects and most effectively it forms part of a toolbox set rather than the only tool you ever use.

I think of it like a carpenters tools, just the basic tools in well skilled hands can perform great outputs. But as new tools and technology evolve tools get replaced and improved. Much like programming languages, but core principles and lessons learned of experience are invaluable and can be applied to other tools.

Sorry not very succinct 🫢

Answer 7

Is being too simple is harmful?
Or being too complex is useful?
Actually I admit python is one of the most simplest for newbie .
But some newbie head start with python but after that when they started Learn complex language their motivation started dropping
And they eventually left this field

Because they were unable to handle the complexity of other language like
Java C++ Go

I mean not everyone lose their hope
But some lose
And therefore I asked this question to all experienced people

Answer 8

Thanks to all of you
seniors
Your answers help me a lot

Answer 9

No. People starting with Python know what to expect, because there are a lot of information about it. So they always got what they expects.

Answer 10

Thanks Lamron Jay Matthew's per Bratthamar
Now I understand python has many faults but it is helpful for beginner
Beginners can understand basic concepts of programming by python but it's only starting of this
Unending journey

Answer 11

Haha and immediately I think, why bother with java after that summary. For myself that is. Really helpful summaries Tibor Santa thanks 🙂

Answer 12

Tibor Santa Per Bratthammar , thanks for showing and explaining from a different angle

Answer 13

Don't get me wrong it's just experience with some newbies

Answer 14

It's an interesting debate, opinion will always vary and conflicting evidence can be put forward about what is best.

Much like debate about what's the best games console, not always about numbers used but could argue more important is the individual satisfaction and of course we all vary.

Thank you for the starting question Herobrine 🙂

Answer 15

Rob Newman , what you have said is absolutely correct