Python by the Numbers: How Strong Is the Demand for Python on the Software Development Market ?

The Ever-Growing Demand for Python: A Look at the Next Decade

Introduction

Python has garnered significant attention in recent years, sparking numerous questions about its future demand and relevance in the software development landscape. In this comprehensive exploration, we analyze data from various authoritative sources to provide a precise answer to the query: “How strong is Python’s demand in the market?” In this extensive article, we delve into the current state of Python, its performance compared to other languages, its place in the job market, its thriving community, and the diverse applications that continue to fuel its growth.

Python’s Position: A Comparative Analysis

To gauge Python’s popularity accurately, it’s essential to understand how it compares to other programming languages. According to the 2020 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, Python stands as the third most beloved programming language, trailing only JavaScript, HTML/CSS, and SQL. Python’s dominance becomes more evident when we consider languages that developers express an interest in learning, where Python has held the top spot for four consecutive years. Furthermore, we examine the TIOBE index, which tracks language popularity based on search engine hits, and it shows Python making a substantial leap of 2.01% in 2020.

Python’s Journey in the TIOBE Index

In June 2019, TIOBE made an audacious prediction: “If Python maintains its current pace, it will likely surpass C and Java in 3 to 4 years, becoming the world’s most popular programming language.” Python’s TIOBE rating rose dramatically from 8.53% in June 2019 to 11.72% in January 2020. It’s worth noting that Python achieved the prestigious title of “TIOBE Programming Language of 2020” due to its unprecedented surge in popularity. Over the years, Python has consistently ascended the ranks and now stands as the third most popular programming language according to the TIOBE index.

Python’s Dominance in Google Searches

Comparing Python to other prominent languages such as Java, JavaScript, and C++, we utilized Google Trends data to measure their popularity in global search queries over the past 12 months, Python emerges as the clear leader in this comparison, followed by Java and JavaScript.

Python’s Popularity Based on Tutorials and Usage Statistics

Several compelling statistics further underline Python’s appeal:

1. As of February  Python claimed the title of the most sought-after programming language, with a substantial 30.06% market share in tutorial searches according to the PYPL index.
2. Python retained its position as the most popular language in 2020, surpassing Java and C, as reported by IEEE Spectrum.
3. In early 2020, Python secured the fourth spot in the list of the most widely used programming languages among software engineers worldwide, with JavaScript taking the top position, followed closely by HTML/CSS and SQL, according to Statista.
4. In the fourth quarter of 2020, Python emerged as the most frequently used language on GitHub, surpassing JavaScript.
5. Python also holds the second place for languages with the most contributors on GitHub across public, private, and open-source repositories, as indicated by the Octoverse data.

Python’s Thriving Community and Developer Profile

The growth of a technology is often indicative of its community’s size and activity level. According to SlashData, Python ranks third in terms of developer activity. By Q2 2018, the global Python community had expanded to 7 million Pythonistas. The Python Developers Survey 2020 by JetBrains revealed that a significant proportion of Python developers reside in China, with other prominent locations including the United States, India, Japan, Russia, and Brazil.

Assessing the Demand for Python Developers

The demand for a programming language can be evaluated by examining the number of job postings seeking developers with expertise in that language. To understand the demand for Python programmers, we conducted an analysis of current job postings on Indeed, a popular global job website. Java, Python, JavaScript, and C++ emerged as the top skills sought by employers in 2019. Notably, Python experienced a significant increase in job postings from 70,242 in September 2019 to 79,942 in February reflecting a growing demand for Python professionals.

Python’s Ubiquity in Leading Companies

Python’s relevance extends beyond ordinary companies; it has a prominent presence in some of the world’s most renowned organizations. Notable companies such as Amazon, Google, Apple, Deloitte, Microsoft, Netflix, and Accenture consistently post job openings for Python developers. For instance, Accenture listed 209 Python developer jobs as of February exemplifying the demand for Python expertise in high-profile firms.

Diverse Applications of Python

Python’s versatility is a key factor driving its demand. It excels in various domains, and the Python Developer Survey 2020 identifies its top five use cases:

1. Web Development
2. Data Analysis
3. Machine Learning
4. Web Parsing, Scraping, and Crawling
5. System Administration, Automation Scripts, and DevOps

Data Science and Machine Learning: Python’s Dominance

Python has solidified its place as one of the most popular languages in the machine learning and data science communities. The  Octoverse report reveals that Python is the preferred choice for machine learning. Python libraries such as PyTorch and TensorFlow, specifically designed for machine learning, have witnessed rapid growth. Python’s appeal in these fields arises from its simplicity, flexibility, stability, and vibrant community support. An array of scientific libraries, including TensorFlow, Keras, scikit, NumPy, Pandas, Seaborn, SciPy, NLTK, and spaCy, further enhance Python’s suitability for data science and natural language processing.

Python in Web Development: A Top Choice

Python’s prominence in web development is underlined by factors like ease of use, readability, robustness, maintainability, versatility, flexibility, and security. The language offers an array of web frameworks, including Django, Flask, Tornado, Pyramid, web2py, Bottle, and CherryPy, which simplify development. In Stack Overflow’s 2020 survey, Django and Flask secured the tenth and eleventh positions among the most commonly used web frameworks. The consistent growth in web development, data analysis, and machine learning ensures Python’s relevance in the foreseeable future.

Python in Action: Real-World Applications

Examining real-world Python projects offers a deeper insight into the demand for Python. According to BuiltWith, as of February 246,163 websites use Python. Renowned companies such as Instagram, Google, Netflix, Reddit, IBM, Facebook, Spotify, Quora, and Dropbox rely on Python for their operations.

Python at Reddit: A Transformational Shift

Reddit initially used Common Lisp, but after just six months, the company switched to Python. Python’s appeal lay in its rich library support and readable code. Reddit, one of the most visited websites in the US, with over 330 million monthly active users, utilizes Python to ensure efficient performance under heavy loads.

Python at Netflix: A Multifaceted Application

Netflix, a global entertainment media provider, has employed Python from its inception. Python is integral to various Netflix processes, including content delivery through the Open Connect content delivery network (CDN), in-house tools for capacity operations, statistical analytics, security automation, and machine learning for recommendation algorithms and artwork personalization. Netflix has also contributed open-source Python projects that enhance various aspects of their operations.

Google’s Affinity for Python

Google’s adoption of Python is evident in its extensive use across various areas, including the development of Google’s search engine, YouTube, code.google.com platform, and several other internal tools and projects. Google has been particularly keen on investing in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analysis, and robotics, all of which primarily utilize Python.

Conclusion

Python’s continued ascent in popularity, versatility, and dominance across various domains demonstrates its strong demand in the market. As we look ahead to the next decade, Python’s prospects seem promising, and it is well-poised to maintain its position as one of the most sought-after programming languages in the software development landscape.