Python – Preferred Choice for AI and ML

Python – Preferred Choice for AI and ML

There are many programming languages out there today, like C#, C+, Java, PHP, etc. Python is relatively a late entrant in the mainstay of programming, but it is fast becoming popular as a coding language. In this article, we will explore why Python has become so popular as a programming language, and whether you can make a career in Python. But first, here is an interesting anecdote about the name Python. The Python programming language was developed by Guido van Rossum, and he was a fan of the British series ‘Monty Python’s Flying Circus’, which depicts the peculiarities of British life in a humourous fashion. The name ‘Python’ is inspired by this series.

Python is an open source language, which means that you can download it straight from their website (www. python.org) free of charge. This high-level language has been around since the late ‘80s, but has seen interest rise in the recent years due to rise of new technologies like AI, ML, IoT and others. We will talk about these technologies later in the article. Apart from these technologies, Python is used today to create GUIs, web apps, games. It has proved to be an important tool to fix hacking exploits and intrusion mitigation. Here is what the official website [link to: https://docs.python.org/3/faq/general.html#id4] says about Python:

“Python is an interpreted, interactive, object-oriented programming language. It incorporates modules, exceptions, dynamic typing, very high level dynamic data types, and classes. It supports multiple programming paradigms beyond object-oriented programming, such as procedural and functional programming. Python combines remarkable power with very clear syntax. It has interfaces to many system calls and libraries, as well as to various window systems, and is extensible in C or C++. It is also usable as an extension language for applications that need a programmable interface. Finally, Python is portable: it runs on many Unix variants including Linux and macOS, and on Windows.”

Python is widely regarded as a programming language that’s easy to learn, due to its simple syntax, a large library of standards and toolkits, and integration with other popular programming languages such as C and C++.

If you are migrating from another programming language like C or C#, you will be able to easily learn Python thanks to its easy readability. Most of the commands use typical English statements which will allow you to immediately understand their purpose even if it is the first time that you have encountered this language. This is one of the most important reasons why Python is gaining in popularity. In addition, Python codes are also concise and simpler compared to other high-level languages such as Java, C$. They also come with a library and features that are already built-in, as well as access to third-party modules and libraries.

Python is a general purpose and high level programming language; you can use it for developing desktop GUI applications, websites and web applications. Also, Python, as a high level programming language, allows you to focus on core functionality of the application by taking care of common programming tasks. The simple syntax rules of the programming language further makes it easier for you to keep the code base readable and application maintainable. This benefits large applications that see a lot of programmers working on the code at the same time.

Benefits of Python
We are living in an age of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), which is a subset of IoT, or the Internet of Things. The IIoT is a network of machines connected together, and which generates huge amount of data. Let us make this clear with an example. Lathes are quite common in small scale and medium scale industries; it is one of the basic pieces of machinery in an industrial workshop. A lathe generates a huge amount of data, and before IIoT, the information generated by this data could not be harnessed. IIoT enables tap this data – called Big Data – to gain meaningful insights about the status of the machines. One simple use is that an IIoT enabled lathe can predict when it will need maintenance, even before it breaks down. Of course, there is code underneath this prediction, and it is mostly Python. IIoT involves integration of many technologies like robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and sensors, and Python is one of the best languages that can be used to drive some of these technologies. Here are a few benefits Python offers:

  1. Because it is simple to learn, Python can be picked up quite easily by data scientists to start coding in AI.
  2. A library is a module or a group of modules that are pre-written portions of code that help users to attain some functionality and carry out different actions. Python has a plethora of libraries that augments quick development. Python libraries offer base-level items that save developers’ time as they do not have to code them from scratch.
  3. Machine Learning needs regular data processing and Python provides an abundant choice of libraries that allow developers to access, manage, and transform data.
  4. Python is flexible – developers get a choice between using OOPs or scripting, and you can apply any changes and quickly go through the results. What is more, Python can be used to glue together large software components.
  5. Python spans multiple platforms, middleware products, and application domains.
  6. There is a wide range of open source Python frameworks and development tools available according to your precise needs.
  7. Python is a general purpose programming language, and can be used for developing desktop and web applications, as well as for developing complex scientific and numeric applications.

Python – Career Options

It is believed that the future belongs to AI, ML, robotics, IoT, IIoT and Python is one of the most popular choices of development languages because of its simplicity, flexibility, ease of development and minimal cost. Learning Python can be a good career choice if you believe in the future of automation. The demand for Python coders is on the rise, and India as well as other countries provide exciting job opportunities. However, learning any programming language quickly requires grasping of the basic concepts, and Python is no exception. Learning the language from a reputed institute will prepare you for jobs and careers connected in a better fashion.