What Can You Use Python Coding For?

This article is first published on NEXT Academy blog.

If you want to start learning to code, the most vital thing to do is just start! Write your first line of code and go from there. I’m recommending Python because it’s relatively easy to pick up, has a growing community and thus, more use cases.

Here are some examples about what you can do when you learn to code with Python.

Use Python for scripting

Write scripts to make your life easier by automating your work with your computer. With Python, you get to tap into its extensive libraries which other programming languages may not have.

Example 1: Programmatic Trading Program

My friend wrote some Techinical Analysis script for his simple programmatic trading program to monitor the stock market around the world 24/7. He uses Python's Technical Analysis libraries for that.

Example 2: Video Transcriber

One of the students at NEXT Academy used Python to write a script where you can put in any video and the program will churn out the transcripts using Natural Language Processing. While it was not entirely perfect (thanks to our Asian accents), but at least it was free!

Use Python for web applications

Do you know that some of the biggest companies in town was built with Python? Here’s a quick list:

• Dropbox
• Netflix
• Spotify
• Instagram
• 21% of Facebook’s infrastructure codebase
• Youtube

When it comes to developing web applications, Python has frameworks such as Django and Flask to do the task. With good understanding of coding and web frameworks, you can build all types of apps with Python.

Use Python for data science

This has been a buzzword for the longest time. People has been talking about Big Data, Small Data, Data Mining, Data Analysis, Data Science. These days, with the internet and many credible good resources on the internet; many people are dipping their feet into this field.

One of our alumni Gloria Teng, who's also a data researcher, recently went to Taiwan for a talk by a fellow data scientist. When being asked what would be the good language for data scientist to learn, the feedback from the speaker was "learn Python and leverage on its libraries".

There are a lot of Python libraries which you can work with for large data sets. Some of the notable libraries are NumPy (for math stuff), SciPy (scientific computing library), Pandas (for data analysis) and Matplotlib (for data visualization).

Use Python for machine learning & artificial intelligence (AI)

Today, machine learning and AI are the new in thing. Many people think that machine learning and AI are the same things but there are nuances.

Below is an image of the relationship between, A.I. and deep learning.

AI is a program that mimics a human’s cognitive process.

Machine learning is the ability of machines to receive a set of data, learn from it and change the algorithm accordingly.

For deep learning, it uses multiple neural networks to learn. (A neural network is a computer system modelled on the human brain and nervous system.)

If you’re interested, feel free to check out more in-depth information here: Cousins of Artificial Intelligence

There are many Python libraries that can be and are being used for machine learning, deep learning and AI. They include Tensorflow, Theano and PyTorch.

As more developers do work in this field, the amount of resources and libraries will continue to grow. In fact, one of our graduates, who is now in Singapore started Nurture.ai, which is dedicated to making AI research more efficient, reproducible and accessible.

Recently, another graduate was coding an app with Python that is integrated with machine learning to train his AI to detect pictures with nudity, cigarettes and weapons so that the app would automatically reject those pictures if people upload them.

Developers without machine learning or AI background are venturing and experimenting with it these days as the barrier to entry is considerably lower than the last 2 years.

Use Python for Internet of Things (IoT)

IoT is another one of those buzzwords flying around. People are talking about Internet of Things and industry 4.0.

Want to get started? It isn’t something that you have to pay exorbitant prices for or buy from a shop.

Today, people are investing in Raspberry Pi to kickstart their DIY IoT projects.

Check out this remote home locking system one of our students devised: Lock n’ Roll

Believe it or not, he and his team built the app and programmed the device in about two weeks! They even had a working prototype.

There are many IoT-related Python libraries that are being developed. Don’t believe me? This site has more than 100 repositories: Zerynth.

The versatility that Python brings has opened up plenty of possibilities. Besides programming the IoT device, you can use Python to create the web app that controls the device, collect data and analyse it as well.

Use Python for games

Python is not just for the serious stuff, people are using Python for their hobbies too.

While Python is not as powerful as Unity when it comes to programming games, it allows you to build something fun with it!

2D games

If you use PyGame, you can build games like Super Potato Bruh (a Super Mario Brothers clone!).

Create a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Game like Bandersnatch

You can use the visual novel engine such as Ren’Py to build a choose-your-own-adventure game similar to Bandersnatch by Netflix.

You get to include text, music, art and also video when you are building your own interactive video game/ book. Here's one example: Over the Hills and Far Away.

In Conclusion

I'm just listing out some interesting stuff I see out there. Python community is really diverse and people are using Python to do very different things; from apps, to AI, to games and much more.

You can also check out Why learn Python as your first coding language.

If you are interested to learn to code, feel free to drop by NEXT Academy and checkout what you can learn with us.

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