Advantages and Disadvantages of Python – How it is dominating Programming World

In this DataFlair’s tutorial, you will learn the advantages and disadvantages of Python. This will help you in knowing the benefits of learning the Python programming language.

Python Advantages and Disadvantages

Let’s first discuss what advantages Python provides to its users.

Advantages of Python

Let’s see how Python dominates over other languages.

1. Extensive Libraries

Python downloads with an extensive library and contains code for various purposes like regular expressions, documentation-generation, unit-testing, web browsers, threading, databases, CGI, email, image manipulation, and more.

So, we don’t have to write the complete code for that manually.

2. Extensible

Python can be extended to other languages. You can write some of your code in languages like C++ or C.

This comes in handy, especially in projects.

3. Embeddable

Complimentary to extensibility, Python is embeddable as well. You can put your Python code in your source code of a different language, like C++.

This lets us add scripting capabilities to our code in the other language.

4. Improved Productivity

The language’s simplicity and extensive libraries render programmers more productive than languages like Java and C++ do.

Also, the fact that you need to write less and get more things done.

5. IOT Opportunities

Since Python forms the basis of new platforms like Raspberry Pi, it finds the future bright for the Internet Of Things.

This is a way to connect the language with the real world.

6. Simple and Easy

When working with Java, you may have to create a class to print ‘Hello World’. But in Python, just a print statement will do.

It is also quite easy to learn, understand, and code.

7. Readable

Because it is not such a verbose language, reading Python is much like reading English. This is the reason why it is so easy to learn, understand, and code.

It also does not need curly braces to define blocks, and indentation is mandatory. This further aids the readability of the code.

8. Object-Oriented

This language supports both the procedural and object-oriented programming paradigms.

While functions help us with code reusability, classes and objects let us model the real world.

A class allows the encapsulation of data and functions into one.

9. Free and Open-Source

Python is freely available. But not only can you download Python for free, but you can also download its source code, make changes to it, and even distribute it.

It downloads with an extensive collection of libraries to help you with your tasks.

10. Portable

When you code your project in a language like C++, you may need to make some changes to it if you want to run it on another platform.

But it isn’t the same with Python. Here, you need to code only once, and you can run it anywhere.

This is called Write Once Run Anywhere (WORA). However, you need to be careful enough not to include any system-dependent features.

11. Interpreted

Lastly, we will say that it is an interpreted language. Since statements are executed one by one, debugging is easier than in compiled languages.

Any doubts till now in the advantages of Python? Mention in the comment section.

Advantages of Python Over Other Languages

1. Less Coding

Almost all of the tasks done in Python requires less coding when the same task is done in other languages.

Python also has awesome standard library support, so you don’t have to search for any third-party libraries to get your job done.

This is the reason that many people suggest learning Python to beginners.

2. Affordable

Python is free therefore individuals, small companies or big organizations can leverage the free available resources to build applications.

Python is popular and widely used so it gives you better community support.

The 2019 Github annual survey showed us that Python has overtaken Java in the most popular programming language category.

3. Python is for Everyone

Python code can run on any machine whether it is Linux, Mac or Windows.

Programmers need to learn different languages for different jobs but with Python, you can professionally build web apps, perform data analysis and machine learning, automate things, do web scraping and also build games and powerful visualizations.

It is an all-rounder programming language.

Disadvantages of Python

So far, we’ve seen why Python is a great choice for your project. But if you choose it, you should be aware of its consequences as well.

Let’s now see the limitations of Python over another language.

1. Speed Limitations

We have seen that Python code is executed line by line. But since Python is interpreted, it often results in slow execution.

This, however, isn’t a problem unless speed is a focal point for the project.

2. Weak in Mobile Computing and Browsers

While it serves as an excellent server-side language, Python is much rarely seen on the client-side.

Besides that, it is rarely ever used to implement smartphone-based applications. One such application is called Carbonnelle.

The reason it is not so famous despite the existence of Brython is that it isn’t that secure.

3. Design Restrictions

As you know, Python is dynamically-typed. This means that you don’t need to declare the type of variable while writing the code.

It uses duck-typing. But wait, what’s that? Well, it just means that if it looks like a duck, it must be a duck.

While this is easy on the programmers during coding, it can raise run-time errors.

4. Underdeveloped Database Access Layers

Compared to more widely used technologies like JDBC (Java DataBase Connectivity) and ODBC (Open DataBase Connectivity), Python’s database access layers are a bit underdeveloped.

Consequently, it is less often applied in huge enterprises.

5. Simple

No, we’re not kidding. Python’s simplicity can indeed be a problem. Take my example. I don’t do Java, I’m more of a Python person.

To me, its syntax is so simple that the verbosity of Java code seems unnecessary.

This was all about the Advantages and Disadvantages of Python Programming Language.

Summary

Concluding the tutorial on advantages and disadvantages of Python, I would say while there are some speed, security, and runtime issues, Python is a great language to pick up.

Its popularity speaks for itself. And this popularity is attributed to its being free, easy, interpreted, object-oriented, extensible, embeddable, portable, and readable.

Now!! as you are well aware with the advantages and disadvantages of Python, it’s time to know the real-time applications of Python.