1.1 Why Do People Use Python?

Because there are many programming languages available today, this is the usual first question of newcomers. Given the hundreds of thousands of Python users out there today, there really is no way to answer this question with complete accuracy. The choice of development tools is sometimes based on unique constraints or personal preference.

But after teaching Python to roughly one thousand students and almost 100 companies in recent years, some common themes have emerged. The primary factors cited by Python users seem to be these:

Software quality

For many, Python's focus on readability, coherence, and software quality in general, sets it apart from "kitchen sink" style languages like Perl. Python code is designed to be readable, and hence maintainable—much more so than traditional scripting languages. In addition, Python has deep support for software reuse mechanisms such as object oriented programming (OOP).

Developer productivity

Python boosts developer productivity many times beyond compiled or statically typed languages such as C, C++, and Java. Python code is typically 1/3 to 1/5 the size of equivalent C++ or Java code. That means there is less to type, less to debug, and less to maintain after the fact. Python programs also run immediately, without the lengthy compile and link steps of some other tools.

Program portability

Most Python programs run unchanged on all major computer platforms. Porting Python code between Unix and Windows, for example, is usually just a matter of copying a script's code between machines. Moreover, Python offers multiple options for coding portable graphical user interfaces.

Support libraries

Python comes with a large collection of prebuilt and portable functionality, known as the standard library. This library supports an array of application-level programming tasks, from text pattern matching, to network scripting. In addition, Python can be extended with both home-grown libraries, as well as a vast collection of third-party application support software.

Component integration

Python scripts can easily communicate with other parts of an application, using a variety of integration mechanisms. Such integrations allow Python to be used as a product customization and extension tool. Today, Python code can invoke C and C++ libraries, can be called from C and C++ programs, can integrate with Java components, can communicate over COM, Corba, and .NET, and can interact over networks with interfaces like SOAP and XML-RPC.

Enjoyment

Because of Python's ease of use and built-in toolset, it can make the act of programming more pleasure than chore. Although this may be an intangible benefit, it's effect on productivity at large is an important asset.

Of these factors, the first two, quality and productivity, are probably the most compelling benefits to most Python users.

1.1.1 Software Quality

By design, Python implements both a deliberately simple and readable syntax, and a highly coherent programming model. As a slogan at a recent Python conference attests, the net result is that Python seems to just "fit your brain"—that is, features of the language interact in consistent and limited ways, and follow naturally from a small set of core concepts. This makes the language easier to learn, understand, and remember. In practice, Python programmers do not need to constantly refer to manuals when reading or writing code; it's an orthogonal design.

By philosophy, Python adopts a somewhat minimalist approach. This means that although there are usually multiple ways to accomplish a coding task, there is usually just one obvious way, a few less obvious alternatives, and a small set of coherent interactions everywhere in the language. Moreover, Python doesn't make arbitrary decisions for you; when interactions are ambiguous, explicit intervention is preferred over "magic." In the Python way of thinking, explicit is better than implicit, and simple is better than complex.^[1]

^[1] For a more complete look at the Python philosophy, type the command import this at any Python interactive prompt (you'll see how in Chapter 2). This invokes an easter egg hidden in Python, a collection of Python design principles. The acronym EIBTI has lately become fashionable for the "explicit is better than implicit" rule.

Beyond such design themes, Python includes tools such as modules and OOP that naturally promote code reusability. And because Python is focused on quality, so too, naturally, are Python programmers.

1.1.2 Developer Productivity

During the great Internet boom of the mid-to-late 1990s, it was difficult to find enough programmers to implement software projects; developers were asked to implement systems as fast as the Internet evolved. Now, in the post-boom era of layoffs and economic recession, the picture has shifted. Today, programming staffs are forced to accomplish the same tasks with fewer people.

In both of these scenarios, Python has shined as a tool that allows programmers to get more done with less effort. It is deliberately optimized for speed of development—its simple syntax, dynamic typing, lack of compile steps, and built-in toolset allow programmers to develop programs in a fraction of the development time needed for some other tools. The net effect is that Python typically boosts developer productivity many times beyond that of traditional languages. That's good news both in boom times and bust.