Learn Python Online | BestColleges

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• Guido van Rossum shared the first version of Python on USENET in February 1991.
• Python is a programming language used in industries from data science to web development.
• Python is easy to learn because of its simple syntax resembling the English language.
• Students can learn Python online with free courses or an intensive coding bootcamp.

Guido van Rossum developed Python for a little over a year before posting the first version to USENET in February 1991. Funnily enough, he named the programming language after Monty Python’s Flying Circus, a famous British sketch comedy series.

Today, professionals across industries learn Python to automate tasks, process data, build web applications, and enhance security. You can learn Python online even if you’re a beginner with no programming language experience.

Python is a high-level, general-purpose programming language with an extensive standard library and various third-party extensions. The latest Python source distribution is available from python.org.

Numerous tutorials, such as online Python courses, coding bootcamps, and books, are available to learn the language. What’s more, Python has a large and vibrant community dedicated to its development.

If you’re wondering how to learn Python and where to start, consider why you want to learn it. Understanding how people use Python can help inform the steps you take.

What Is Python Used For?

Python is a versatile programming language. It allows professionals to conduct complex calculations, extract and manipulate data, and build machine learning algorithms. Analysts can use it to create data visualizations, such as graphs, pie charts, and histograms.

Developers use Python to communicate with databases and URL routing using frameworks such as Django. Python can send, retrieve, and process data in the back-end (server-side) of website or application development.

It’s also a top cybersecurity programming language for accessing servers, analyzing malware, and scanning networks and ports.

Python Career Outlook

Python Developer

A Python developer typically works on the server side of project development, using the programming language to code, design, deploy, and debug.

According to Payscale, Python developers earned an average annual salary of $79,400 (November 2022). Payscale data indicates the highest-paid professionals earned $107,000 per year during the same period.

Software Engineer

Software engineers typically have experience programming and coding in Python and languages such as C#, Java, JavaScript, and SQL. They work in all stages of the software development process.

Payscale’s data shows an average annual salary of $89,180, with the top 10% of software engineers averaging $131,000 annually (November 2022).

Data Scientist

Data scientists design and develop processes for modeling data, create algorithms and predictive models, and perform custom analyses. Professionals with skills in Python, machine learning and statistics earn the highest salaries.

Payscale shows an average annual salary of $97,670 for data scientists, with the highest-paid earners averaging $136,000 (November 2022).

Machine Learning Engineer

Machine learning engineers research, design, and build the artificial intelligence responsible for machine learning using programming languages like Python. They also maintain and improve existing artificial intelligence systems.

Payscale’s data shows an average annual salary of $112,450 for machine learning engineers, with the top 10% of machine learning engineers averaging $154,000 annually (October 2022).

Alternative Places to Learn Python

Intensive coding bootcamps are another alternative to learning Python online. Bootcamps are short, comprehensive courses that provide hands-on experiences to learn to code.

Bootcamps often cover computer science basics and languages, including CSS, HTML, JavaScript, SQL, and Python. The best coding bootcamps offer interview preparation and collaborate with industry partners to provide graduates with job placement opportunities.

Typically, students need some programming language experience to enroll in a coding bootcamp. Many require students to take an entrance exam or offer an intro course before enrolling in the more intensive courses.

BestColleges’ Best Python Bootcamps guide explores coding bootcamp options in-depth, including time commitments and bootcamp costs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Learning Python Online

Is Python harder than Java?

Python is easier to understand and write than Java, especially for those with no programming language experience. Its syntax resembles the English language, and Python is an object-oriented programming language, making coding easier.

Java uses more complex syntax requiring more lines of code. Two lines of Python code can often express the same thing as multiple lines of Java code.

How many hours will it take to learn Python?

It can take up to 21 hours to learn Python basics by taking online Python courses. However, how long it takes to learn Python depends on how much experience you have with programming languages.

Python coding bootcamps offer more intensive learning and hands-on skill building. Bootcamps can take anywhere from two to 28 weeks to complete.

Which pays more, Java or Python?

According to data from Payscale, Python and Java offer comparable annual salaries. Python developers earned an annual wage of $79,400 (November 2022), while Java developers earned slightly more at $80,740 (November 2022).

Employers often look for professionals with skills in several programming languages and frameworks depending on the industry and job.

Feature Image: Viktor Morozuk / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images