Top 12 Fascinating Python Applications in Real-World [2020]

It is a well-established fact that Python is one of the most popular programming languages in both the coding and Data Science communities. But have you ever wondered why Python is so popular? What is the secret behind Python’s worldwide success and fame?

We’ll give you the answer in one line – Python is one of the top programming languages of all!

Whatever be your development and Data Science need, you name it – Python can take care of it. Python is an open-source, high-level, general-purpose programming language that incorporates the features of object-oriented, structural, and functional programming.

Created way back in 1989 by Guido Van Rossum, Python stresses on the DRY (Don’t Repeat Yourself) principle, which enhances the readability of Python code. Python’s robust string manipulation, a massive collection of user-friendly libraries, and easy shell access make it a useful tool for quickly automating repetitive tasks. 

While Python’s simple syntax allows for writing readable code, which can be further applied to complex software development processes to facilitate test-driven software application development, machine learning, and data analytics. Python can run on all the major operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and iOS.

Since it functions on cross-platform operating systems, Python can be used to develop a host of applications, including web apps, gaming apps, enterprise-level applications, ML apps, image processing, text processing, and so much more. 

But beyond its innate simplicity and versatility, what makes Python stand out are its vast assortments of libraries and packages that can cater to a wide range of development as well as Data Science requirements.

What makes Python the “Best of the Best?”

Here are some of the most noteworthy features of Python that make it an excellent tool for professionals of all skill levels:

Python = Simplicity

We cannot stress this point enough, but Python is not only easy to learn but also easy to use and implement. With a syntax similar to English, you can master the nitty-gritty of Python coding in a few days. Moreover, Python is dynamically-typed, which makes indentation mandatory, thereby enhancing its readability factor. 

It is an open-source language

You don’t need to pay charges to install and use Python – it is open-source. What this means is that the source code of Python is freely available to the public. You can download it from Python’s official website. Not only that, Python supports the FLOSS (Free/Libre and Open Source Software) model, which means you can also change it and distribute it. This allows the Python community to tweak it and improve its features continuously.

It is a high-level language

Since Python is a high-level language, you need not remember its system architecture, not do you need to perform memory management. This feature contributes to Python’s user-friendliness. 

It is interpreted

Unlike compiled languages like C++ and Jave wherein you must compile the code and then run it, Python is an interpreted language. What this means is that instead of executing the source code all at once, Python executes it line by line. This makes it easier to debug a Python code because you can do it while writing the code.

It is both object-oriented and functional

An object-oriented programming language is one that can model real-world data, while a functional language focuses on functions (code that can be reused). Python supports both object-oriented and functional programming features. Also, unlike Java, Python supports multiple inheritances.

It is portable

Python is portable and highly flexible, meaning, a Python code written for a Windows machine or a Linux machine can also run on iOS, and vice versa – you don’t need to make any alterations in the code. So, with Python eliminates the need to write different code for different machines (just make sure there’s no system-dependent feature in your Python code).

It is extensible and embeddable

Python is an extensible language, as it allows you to write specific parts of your Python code in other programming languages such as C++. Similarly, you can also embed your Python code in the source code of other languages. This allows you to integrate Python’s scripting functionalities into a code written in another language.

It comes with a vast collection of libraries

When you download Python, you will automatically download the extensive collection of Python libraries with it. These libraries are built-in, so you don’t have to write individual code for every single thing. Python has libraries and packages for web browsers, threading, databases, regular expressions, image manipulation, documentation-generation, unit-testing, CGI, email, and much more.

Now that we’ve talked at length about how great a tool Python is let’s check out twelve real-world applications of Python.

12 Real-world Applications of Python

1. Web Development

When it comes to web development, Python should be your go-to tool. Why? 

That’s because Python offers numerous options for web development. For instance, you have Django, Pyramid, Flask, and Bottle for developing web frameworks and even advanced content management systems like Plone and Django CMS. These web frameworks are packed with standard libraries and modules which simplify tasks like content management, database interaction, and interfacing with internet protocols like HTTP, SMTP, XML, JSON, FTP, IMAP, and POP.

Python web frameworks are known for their security, scalability, and flexibility. To add to that, Python’s Package Index comes with useful libraries like Requests, BeautifulSoup, Paramiko, Feedparser, and Twisted Python. 

2. Game Development

As we mentioned earlier, Python comes loaded with many useful extensions (libraries) that come in handy for the development of interactive games. For instance, libraries like PySoy (a 3D game engine that supports Python 3) and PyGame are two Python-based libraries used widely for game development. Python is the foundation for popular games like Battlefield 2, Frets on Fire, World of Tanks, Disney’s Toontown Online, Vega Strike, and Civilization-IV. 

Apart from game development, game designers can also use Python for developing tools to simplify specific actions such as level design or dialog tree creation, and even use those tools to export those tasks in formats that can be used by the primary game engine. Also, Python is used as a scripting language by many game engines.

3. Scientific and Numeric Applications

Thanks to its massive library base, Python has become a crucial tool in scientific and numeric computing. In fact, Python provides the skeleton for applications that deal with computation and scientific data processing. Apps like FreeCAD (3D modeling software) and Abaqus (finite element method software) are coded in Python.

Some of the most useful Python packages for scientific and numeric computation include:

• SciPy (scientific numeric library)
• Pandas (data analytics library)
• IPython (command shell)
• Numeric Python (fundamental numeric package)
• Natural Language Toolkit (Mathematical And text analysis)

 4. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning 

AI and ML models and projects are inherently different from traditional software models. When we talk about AI/ML projects, the tools and technologies used and the skillset required is totally different from those used in the development of conventional software projects. AI/ML applications require a language that is stable, secure, flexible, and is equipped with tools that can handle the various unique requirements of such projects. Python has all these qualities, and hence, it has become one of the most favored languages of Data Science professionals. 

Python’s simplicity, consistency, platform independence, great collection of resourceful libraries, and an active community make it the perfect tool for developing AI and ML applications. Some of the best Python packages for AI and ML are:

• SciPy for advanced computing
• Pandas for general-purpose data analysis
• Seaborn for data visualization
• Keras, TensorFlow, and Scikit-learn for ML
• NumPy for high-performance scientific computing and data analysis

 Apart from these libraries, there are also other Python-based libraries like NLTK, Caffee, PyTorch, and Accord.NET, that are useful for AI and ML projects.

5.Desktop GUI

Python not only boasts of an English-like syntax, but it also features a modular architecture and the ability to work on multiple operating systems. These aspects, combined with its rich text processing tools, make Python an excellent choice for developing desktop-based GUI applications. 

Python offers many GUI toolkits and frameworks that make desktop application development a breeze. PyQt, PyGtk, Kivy, Tkinter, WxPython, PyGUI, and PySide are some of the best Python-based GUI frameworks that allow developers to create highly functional Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs).

6. Software Development

Python packages and applications aim to simplify the process of software development. From developing complex applications that involve scientific and numeric computing to developing desktop and web applications, Python can do it all. This is the reason why Software Developers use Python as a support language for build control, testing, and management.

For instance, SCons is designed explicitly for build control, Buildbot and Apache Gump allow for automated continuous compilation and testing, and Roundup and Trac are great for bug tracking and project management.

Python also supports data analyzation and visualization, thereby further simplifying the process of creating custom solutions minus the extra effort and time investment.

7. Enterprise-level/Business Applications

Enterprise-level software or business applications are strikingly different from standard applications, as in the former demands features like readability, extensibility, and scalability. Essentially, business applications are designed to fit the requirements of an organization rather than the needs of individual customers.

Thus, these applications must be capable of integrating with legacy systems like existing databases and non-web apps. Since business applications are developed, keeping in mind the custom requirements to cater to the specific needs of an organization’s operating model, the entire development process becomes very complicated. 

This is where Python can make a significant difference. Python high performance, scalability, flexibility, and readability are just the features required for developing fully-functional and efficient business applications. Furthermore, Python has other tools for business application development, like:

• Odoo, an all-in-one management software that forms a complete suite of enterprise management applications.
• Tryton, a three-tier, high-level, general-purpose application platform, is another fantastic tool for building business applications.

Learn more about: Top Python tools

 8. Education programs and training courses

If there’s any beginner-friendly programming language, it is Python. We’ve said it many times before, and we’re repeating it – Python has an extremely straightforward syntax that’s similar to the English language. It has a short learning curve and hence, is an excellent choice for beginners. Python’s easy learning curve and simplicity are the two main reasons why it is one of the most used programming languages in educational programs, both at beginner and advanced levels. 

However, Python is not just great as an introductory language – even professional developers and coders all around the world rely heavily on Python.

9. Language Development

Over the years, Python’s design and module architecture has been the inspiration behind the development of many new programming languages such as Boo, Swift, CoffeeScript, Cobra, and OCaml. All of these languages share numerous similarities with Python on grounds like object model, syntax, and indentation.

10. Operating Systems

Yes, Python is the secret ingredient behind many operating systems as well, most popularly of Linux distributions. Linux-based Ubuntu’s Ubiquity Installer and Fedora and Red Hat Enterprise’s Anaconda Installer are coded in Python. Even Gentoo Linux leverages Python Portage (package management system). Usually, Python is combined with the C programming language to design and develop operating systems.

11. Web Scraping Applications

Python is a nifty tool for extracting voluminous amounts of data from websites and web pages. The pulled data is generally used in different real-world processes, including job listings, price comparison, R&D, etc. 

BeautifulSoup, MechanicalSoup, Scrapy, LXML, Python Requests, Selenium, and Urllib are some of the best Python-based web scraping tools.

12. Image Processing and Graphic Design Applications:

Alongside all the uses mentioned above, Python also finds a unique use case in image processing and graphic design applications. The programming language is used globally to design and build 2D imaging software like Inkscape, GIMP, Paint Shop Pro, and Scribus. Also, Python is used in several 3D animation packages such as Blender, Houdini, 3ds Max, Maya, Cinema 4D, and Lightwave, to name a few.