Python is a general-purpose, high-level programming language that was first introduced around 1991. It follows several programming paradigms such as object-oriented, structured, and functional to develop flexible and robust web applications.
To create even better web experiences, business units hire Python programmers to custom-create exclusive features. It is needless to say that Python is popular amongst web developers.
In fact, a report by Statista shows Python as the 4th most popular programming language with about 48.07% of developers preferring it for development. Despite its popularity, whether it is the best option for web development or not has always been a matter of debate.
On one hand, we have renowned names like Instagram, Shopify, Quora, and Reddit that rely on Python for web app development, on the other, many business units feel conflicted if it is the best option they have.
Thus, we brought you this article on the pros and cons of Python web development in its truest form so you can decide for yourself.
Let’s check!
Pros of Python Web Development
Smooth learning curve and easy to code
Python’s syntax is very similar to the English language. So, learning the language is comparatively easier for novice programmers. Various charts and plots are used to express data in an easy-to-understand format. These practices make Python easy as a language that can be well utilized for developing web applications.
Programmers have a better time dealing with the codes and learning new updates as they come. This makes Python a seamless programming language and is preferred by many.
Faster development
As mentioned above, Python supports multiple programming paradigms, making it quite flexible as a language. Its object-oriented approach enables Python developers to manage the code efficiently. Errors in any particular class or function don’t affect the entire code and debugging those codes becomes easier.
Its quick iterations and prototyping make development much faster with Python. It is quite beneficial for startups and gives them a competitive edge as they can finish projects on time.
Asynchronous coding practice
If you are aware of the asynchronous coding method, you would know that it allows every unit of code to run separately. Thus, practicing asynchronous code with Python ensures the code is written faster and more efficiently. There are fewer to no situations of conflict or deadlock preventing or slowing down the development process.
Rich library support
One of the pivotal reasons why developers prefer Python is because of its extensive library support to build web applications. It reduces development efforts substantially as developers don’t have to re-build every component from scratch every time they write codes.
A few most useful Python libraries we have in 2022 are - SciPy, Pandas, Keras, Tensor Flow, LightGBM, NumPy, etc. With over 137,000 such libraries available for coding, it is suitable for the development of web apps with capabilities of data science, machine learning, data visualization, manipulation, etc.
Huge community
According to a Statista report, the Python community has around 10.1 million developers as of 2021. It has a huge community of developers who can connect with each other to share various issues, share suggestions, or ask questions. Having assistance from a huge community is extremely helpful as developers can quickly solve critical problems and get the project started.
Affordable
Being an OSI-approved, open-source programming language, it is available free of cost for use by anyone. This and the fast development pace makes it extremely useful and affordable as a language.
Cons of Python Web Development
Slow
Unlike other programming languages, Python uses an interpreter in place of a compiler. Thus, compiling/ checking the code takes much time, making the process slower. That is considered one of the drawbacks of Python programming language.
Poor performance on mobile
While Python works excellently on desktops and the web, it doesn’t do well with mobile computation. So, if you are planning to develop applications for mobile, Python might not be the best choice for you.
Memory optimization issues
If you want to develop heavy applications, Python might not be the most ideal option for you. It consumes much memory space for developing heavy applications. For instance, it consumes more memory to use flexible data types. Thus, it could be a major drawback in many situations.
Problem with error detection
Since Python uses an interpreter, it takes longer to detect errors. While Python experts may know their way around the language, it could still be time-consuming. Thereby, delaying the process of web development and project delivery.
These are some advantages and disadvantages of Python programming language. Despite some disadvantages, there are plenty of advantages that can be favorable to business units. So, weigh these pros and cons and decide for yourself and then hire Python developers for your project.
Summary:
Python programming language is one of the most preferred languages today and is preferred by many. Despite this, many business units may feel conflicted about its use. This Python Pros vs cons will help you understand if the language is suitable for you.
