Python 2 Or Python 3: Which Python Version Will Be Best For My Project?
In the past, there was a bit of a debate in the computer programming industry that as beginners should one learn Java or Python? But today, the focus shifted to Python 2 Or Python 3. Let’s find why?
As we already know Python surpassed Java long back in terms of popularity, but today there are 8.2 billion offshore python programmers in the world who code using Python and that popular is now larger than those who build in Java, who number 7.6 million.
Python adoption has been rapid, with SlashData estimating the language gained more than two million new developers in 2018.
Of course, Python becomes a highly popular and powerful language of today’s times. Python is not just easy to learn, but also easy to implement. It is considered the only language after Java that can be used to develop powerful software and applications like Desktop Apps, Web Apps, Mobile Apps, Console apps, IoT, AI-based apps and Data Analytics.
Why Python Has Become So Popular Today? [A Business Perspective]
There are companies that decide the direction of the world. Google, Facebook, Oracle, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, other social media platforms and places where people involve directly such as E-shopping, etc., are just a few.
The “One” thing that is common among these companies is “data”. From last few years, the number of online data is generated that has never generated ever before. Every platform maintains userbase, user activity and other information of the users.
Just look at blow chart below about userbase of world’s top platforms.
(In the chart above, IB = installed base, MAUs = monthly active users, DAUs = daily active users)
Size doesn’t matter — it’s how you use it
Maintaining this userbase though crucial for businesses, but the real game-changing thing is how you monetize it effectively??
Here comes Python!
World’s leading social media platforms Facebook and Instagram are using Python to handle data and processes together. On the other hand, Spotify has used the programming language for its back-end analytics.
But Why Python?
Because It Is Easy To Learn
Because It Is Easy To Decipher
Because It Is Open Source
Because Of Its Index Package
Because Vast Community Is There To Answer The Queries
Because It Is Scalable
Everything is accepted, but when a company decides to develop a business app using Python, the first issue come i.e., whether to use Python 2 or Python 3.
Short Answer: User Python 3
Python 2
The last release of this version of Python is 2.7 that came in 2010. The community added a good syntactic sugar to make Python easier to learn. Python 2.7 is still used widely and beyond to just backward compatibility needs.
Python 3
Experts in the industry consider this version of Python is the present and future of programming world. The major release of Python 3 came in 2008 whereas the widely adopted version of Python is 3.6 that came in 2016. It’s the freshest release is 3.7 but not really popular and adopted as lot’s of work still needs to be done.
Here Are The Key Differences That Leads To Python 2 or Python 3 Debate
1. Legacy v/s Future
Python 2 has been there for more than a decade and a half. Although Python 3 grabbed the market quickly especially after getting the release of 3.6, Python 2 still entrenched in the software of certain companies and doing well. However, companies are switching from Python 2 to Python 3 as by 2020 the 2nd version may be stopped getting community contribution. Therefore, it wouldn’t be the best bet to build the app using Python 2.
2. Library v/s Library
Python 2 carries libraries that have long been created. As a result of this, it’s libraries are not forwards-compatible. Python 3 otherwise getting continues support of developers. Python developers are strictly contributing to Python 3.
In a competitive world where quick-to-market is a key factor of a business’s success, wasting time between incompatible libraries is such a waste of time and money. Especially when Python 3 has standard libraries and most of the pre-built codes are available to pick and deploy in complicated to complex project requirements.
3. ASCII v/s Unicode
Since we already know Unicode is more versatile than ASCII, choosing Python 3 for the project will be a right fit. Strings are stored as ASCII by default in Python 2 whereas you will find Unicode test springs as default in Python 3. Scope of work and scalability of the project can be expanded with Python 3 because Unicode strings support international language like Roman letters and numerals, symbols, emojis, etc. choices.
4. 5/2 = 2 v/s 5/2 = 2.5
The programming of Python 2 bounds you to rounds your calculation down to the nearest whole number thus the expression for the calculation 5 divided by 2 come as 2 due to rounding.
And
To get the exact answer of 2.5, you have to type it as 5.0/2.0.
On the other end, Python 3 syntax is intuitive for developers and produce the expression of 5/2 as per the expected result.
Why Switch to New Version?
Offshore python development services are still practiced in version 2 because of legacy reasons. But some companies are heavily investing in Python 3 for project migration and for leveraging the newly implemented features such as:
They are:
1. Python 2 is not usually a typed language. But, the later version of Python supports typing that enable developers overcomes conflicts while developing new pieces of code
2. Python 3 continues to get community support
3. Every update in Python’s version continues to get faster with the runtime
Conclusion:
Now, as we already knows Python 2 will no longer support by the end of 2020, it is not an option anymore for software development. Companies which have products developed in Python 2 are moving to Python 3. Python 3 has future potentials due to excellent compatibility, interesting features, and other attributes. So, we can say among Python 2 or Python 3, Python 3 should be your choice of the stack for new project development.
