4 Reasons Why Python Should not Be the Top Programming Language
5 min read
Table of Contents
Situations have never been much better for Python. The language at present ranks as the most common programming language in the globe, in accordance to the TIOBE Index — a placement that demonstrates years of continuous development over the past two many years.
That progress stems from a range of factors. 1 is the point that Python — irrespective of its humble origins as an enhanced shell scripting language — has advanced into one particular of the most versatile, dynamic languages out there. It’s employed for every thing from net development, to world wide web of things (IoT) programming, to AI and over and above. A different is that Python code is very easy to generate and execute, which can make Python a language of alternative for introductory programming programs. Basically every person who can take Coding 101 at faculty, or attends a coding bootcamp, today learns Python.
Yet, element of me wonders how very long Python’s heyday will last. Though there is certainly absolutely nothing inherently erroneous with the language, I’m in some techniques amazed that it has managed to develop into as popular as it has, and I am a bit doubtful about whether or not Python will continue to be a top programming language 10 or 20 decades from now.
Why, you inquire? Effectively, below are four reasons why Python is arguably much more preferred than it deserves to be.
1. Python Is Not Fast
Arguably the programming language’s largest shortcoming is that programs written in Python are just not quick. At the very least, they’re not approximately as fast as people coded in languages like C or even Java (which is alone not an primarily rapid language).
For this purpose, I get worried that we’re shooting ourselves in the foot a bit by crafting so a great deal code in Python. The code could be quick to produce and deploy, but we are sacrificing pace, performance, and effectiveness. In a entire world wherever just about every millisecond counts, Python is just not a good option.


2. Python’s Syntax Is Much too Rigid
Component of the purpose Python is so common, in particular amongst individuals newer to coding, is that it involves a definitely precise syntax. That syntax comes about to end result in code that is very neat and readable.
This is excellent if you you should not head using the time to stick to all of Python’s syntactic policies. But if you just want to churn out code swiftly, Python is almost certainly not the finest language.
So, if we want to prioritize versatility and dynamism more than possessing everyone’s code appear very fairly and dependable, Python is not the ideal language for the future.
3. Python Gives a Minimal Programming Expertise
Yet another component of the cause why Python is well-liked with inexperienced persons is that it is uncomplicated to use. You really don’t have to go your code by means of a compiler.
The downside of Python in this respect, nevertheless, is that it isn’t going to really give a holistic software program development experience. Folks who master to code in Python are not finding out about just about every part of a conventional program advancement pipeline, and they will experience a studying curve if they go on to function with languages that are not interpreted.
In reality — and this may seem a tiny severe — realizing how to code in Python is merely a single step up from realizing how to run plans in a Bash shell, which is not coding at all.
From this perspective, you could argue that Python is generating a generation of programmers who never necessarily know “complete” programming. They just know how to create interpreted code.
4. Very little Really Significant Has Been Published in Python
This statement may possibly also location me in some very hot water, but I am going to go forward and make it: As I seem all over the entire world nowadays, I you should not see any definitely significant, elaborate, momentous programs or platforms composed in Python.
Sure, there are plenty of main web sites that use Python in one way or yet another, typically on the back conclusion. And there are almost certainly tens of millions of lesser purposes out there made in Python.
But there is no Python-centered equal to WordPress (while there are some Python-primarily based CMSes out there, most of which you have possibly not read of). There is no workplace productivity suite that relies upon closely on Python. There is definitely no running system, or even a major part of an operating technique, coded in Python.
This observation is not a criticism of Python as a lot as it truly is an exertion to emphasize the reality that, if Python were being poised to stay a top rated programming language for a long time to arrive, you’d believe a person would have done a little something extra appealing with it by now than write scripts and uncomplicated applications. But they haven’t, and they likely is not going to.
Summary
Admittedly, the arguments I’ve built above towards Python are all subjective and unquestionably fairly debatable. Loads of people are much more bullish about Python than me.
And I am not saying that Python must never be utilized. It absolutely has legitimate use cases. But individuals use scenarios mostly require producing rather straightforward scripts and programs, not attempting to use Python as the go-to language for crafting every thing under the sunshine.
Right after all, as I explained previously mentioned, Python was made initially to be generally just a shell scripting language. It has morphed into a substantially far more preferred form of monster, and I imagine that development will show to be an anomaly. Ten yrs from now, I suspect we will be looking back and thinking what we have been pondering when we designed Python the most preferred programming language in the planet.
