What is Python used for in Startups? Why Should a CTO Choose Python for Business in 2020?
Author : John Prabhu 8th Jun 2020
What Does a Startup Need from a Language?
To effectively answer the question: what is PythonPythonWith dynamic semantics, Python is an object-oriented, interpreted, high-level programming language. Python reduces the maintenance cost of the program as it has simple and easy to learn syntax that emphasizes readability. Thanks to its high-level built-in data structures for making it attractive for Rapid Application Development, as well as for using it as a scripting language. Python supports a wide range of libraries and a few of them are numpy, pandas, matpotlib, scipy, etc.used for in a startup, we should first discuss what are the factors that break the deal for startups. Also, we will be looking at the features of Python.
- Should be scalable on-the-go and possess the ability to include additional features
- Build MVP in a short period
- Quick & efficient debugging process
- Compatible with other software (frameworks & libraries) and technologies
- Budget-friendly development process
Moreover, according to BuiltWith, there are more than 850k+ web projects built using Python. Additionally, the TIOBE Index suggests that Python is the third most popular programming language across the world. Having said that, does Python fulfill all the above-mentioned demands and requirements of a startup to become a promising choice?
But how is Python so popular?
Python is so popular because it has several features that make it highly productive and flexible as compared to other programming languages like C++ and Java. It saves the developer a lot of time, energy, and effort in getting the job done. It saves the business money and hence is popular among big companies.
Features of Python
1. Easy Integration: Python is compatible with a wide variety of programming languages, including C, JavaJavaJava is one of the majorly used general-purpose programming language designed to have no or limited implementation dependencies. Java requires a software platform for its compiled programs to be executed. Oracle and Android SDK are a few examples of the software platforms on which Java executes its programs., C++, and more. When it comes to ease of integration, you can’t find a better alternative to Python.
2. Supports TDD (Test-Driven Development): Python comes handy when it comes to developing prototypes. Since it supports test-driven development, you can convert your prototypes into an app by refactoring the source code and testing it in no time before deployment.
3. Wide Range of Frameworks & Libraries: Though there are a lot of reasons behind the success of Python as a programming language in a short span, the main reason why developers and startups are adopting Python is because of the availability of robust and extensive libraries the community has offered.
4. Ideal for Big Data & Machine Learning: Big Data and Machine Learning are the tunnels to untapped potentials and resources and leading brands have already started to take advantage of them. Both Machine Learning and Big Data can help the CTOs to take their business to the next level. Since Python has a list of robust libraries, it lets you build apps integrated with ML & Big Data and AI as well.
The Specific Requirements of Startups that Python Fulfills
At their journey’s beginning, startups usually don’t have much money to spare. They often work with budgets of around $15,000-$20,000. In the IT world, that kind of a budget may not be realistic, except if you work with Python. Secondly, they don’t have much time to convince investors and partners about the project’s potential. Finally, they have to build the product as soon as they can to be able to make their first money and survive.
Let’s have a look at the reasons for why to choose Python web development for small businesses.
1. Remarkable Choice for MVP
As a CTO in a startup, you must be the one dealing with your product more than any of your customers. Also, you must mind the time you need to build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Once you’re done with your MVPMVPA minimum viable product is a version of a product with just enough features to satisfy early customers and provide feedback for future product development., here comes your biggest challenge: convincing your investors. Without an MVP, you can’t make the investors believe in something and convince them that your product will be successful.
As Python enables faster development of apps, you can start building your MVP with it. You can implement the suggestions and feedback for your product and implement them in no time as Python enables robust and faster development of apps. But how can Python expedite the development process? It is because Python comes with built-in packages and modules that help to pace up the product completion process.
However, Python is not limited only to the development of a prototype or an MVP. You can also develop the app further and make it a large project. Moreover, if you want to switch technologies while taking your app to the next level, you can also rewrite your project in another programming language. Hence, you get some more time to taste success and reach the break-even point faster for your good.
When compared to other technologies such as Java, Python helps you to build a fully functional prototype in weeks and not in months. Hence, it is time-efficient and gives a head start to startups.
2. Scalable
As a startup, you can’t take scalability with a grain of salt. As your product becomes popular and the number of users increases, you will want to accommodate them and deliver unrivaled customer experience to them. Hence, you have to foresee things and incorporate scalability into your app because as a business grows, its users also grow.
Python comes into action in this kind of situation with the DjangoDjangoDjango is a framework for developing applications and websites and is written in Python. It is a free and open source web application framework that allows you to further develop the existing applications so that you don’t have to start from scratch. This framework Django has built-in functionalities like authentication support, management, and admin panels, contact forms, comment boxes, file upload support, etc. Therefore, adding them to your site properly, which was developed in a simple way, is not an issue anymore!framework. The Django framework offers a series of web components that are ready to use for application development and helps Python to build highly scalable apps. Moreover, Django’s web components are independent of each other. Hence, you can replace a component or unplug a component based on the business requirement. Additionally, with the help of Python libraries, you can add certain new features to your product in no time.
3. Versatile
As a startup, you want to cover your entire user base regardless of the platform they belong to. Hence, you need your application to work well across platforms such as Windows, macOS, Linux, etc. Since Python is versatile, you don’t have to worry about the cross-platform performance of your product. When you need the urge to include data science and machine learning to your app so that you can take your business to the next level, you don’t have to worry about the technology stack. You have Python at your service for you to take care of them.
4. User-Friendly
Python is popular among developers because of its simplicity. The developers of Python believe that:
- Explicit is better than implicit
- Simple is better than complex
- Complex is better than complicated
Moreover, Python is an intuitive, well-structured, neat, easy to learn, and easy to use language. These help Python to be an ideal solution to the challenges faced by startups such as time, budget, profitability, etc.
Hence, the Python developers’ community loved the programming language and worked on it to make it the second most popular language on GithubGithubGithub is a web-based platform used for version control. Git simplifies the process of working with other people and makes it easy to collaborate on projects. Team members can work on files and easily merge their changes in with the master branch of the project.. As per GitHub’s repository, there are about 107,482 commits and 1.2k+ developers.
Also Read: Python Arrays
5. Community Support
A programming language becomes great and popular only because of community support. A healthy community that supports developers while they face challenges in the product development process. It is inevitable to get in the zone of hiccups, but whether the community is active enough to offer solutions that help you get through the challenges. The Python community is offering solutions to all the challenges thrown on their faces and continues to improve its features and functionalities.
6. No Need for Extra Developers
Managing finances in the early stages of a startup are quintessential. When you compare Python to any other language, Python codes are concise and easy to code. Moreover, you can write a proof of concept easily with Python. As a result, you can reduce the number of developers working on your product and reduce the team size and cut costs. Also, you don’t have to compromise on the quality of your product.
Suggested Read: Java vs Python
7. Security
As far as security is concerned, Python is way more secure than some other programming languages such as PHP. With frameworks such as Django, security features come built-in that helps protect your application from any kind of security threat that might affect your application. But what actually happens when you use the Django framework? Django allows you to hide the source code from viewing as it renders the web pages dynamically and sends data to the web browser with the help of templates.
8. Helps Get Through Complexity
Python handles complexities well because it is simple in nature and is an effective solution to develop apps. Also, when it comes to web apps, it overcomes integration problems like a pro. These are the qualities that make Python the best choice for startups as it is fast, easy to work with, and time-efficient. Startup businesses such as media streaming projects, social networks, and similar other projects are based on web and big data drives the web. As said earlier, it helps with scalability and integration, which are one of the key criteria for the success of a startup.
9. Ubiquitous in Nature
YouTube, Dropbox, Reddit, IBM, Spotify, Netflix, etc. are some of the largest brands that use Python. It is used extensively on these projects so that it has reached a level where all other languages are assessed based on Python. So, if you are planning to build an application that is future-proof, you have to start right away with Python.
Download the latest version of Python here
Final Thoughts:
As a CTO of a startup, you must look forward to completing your product development soon as the competition is extreme. Python helps you to have an MVP within months at a significantly lower cost with a small development team. Hence, Python is one of the best programming languages for startups.
We, at TechAffinity, believe in delivering future-proof solutions to our clients. As a result, we have an adept team of expert Python developers who can work on your startup product idea and deliver an MVP within months. You can share your queries regarding Python development with media@techaffinity.com or schedule an appointment with our experts.