Why Use Python for Web Development in 2023 – Explore Top Pros & Cons
7 July 2023
Whether you want to build a website, an application, or a PWA, Python is one of the most popular trusted languages. According to a report by Statista, Python web frameworks account for 48.07% as of 2022. It is among the top five programming languages and beats various traditional languages in the race, like PHP, Java, C#, and C++.
You can leverage Python web development for various solutions if you are developing a web project. The universal programming language works exceptionally well for traditional and modern web solutions. Whether it’s a business portal or an advanced AI application, you can use Python web development.
This article explores the pros & cons of using Python web frameworks for web development. But before we begin, do you know which companies are using Python?
Various successful apps and software have been developed using the Python programming language. For example, Instagram, Pinterest, Spotify, and Uber are some apps we all use developed with Python.
Pros of Using Python for Web Applications
- Open-Source and Mature Programming Language
Released in 1991, Python is among the oldest programming languages, with three decades of consistent improvements. With a skilled Python developer, leveraging the language to its maximum potential is a given. They have hands-on experience with the language and know its strengths and weaknesses and how to accommodate or compensate for them when designing and delivering web development.
Moreover, it is freely usable and distributable for non-commercial and commercial purposes. This maximises the flexibility and also reduces the cost of the web application development project.
- Handy Use-Cases for Diverse Digital Solutions
Over the years, Python development has been deployed for creating many kinds of projects. This proves the strength and flexibility of this high-level, general-purpose programming language. It’s simple to read and has understandable code, making it a top choice among different business industries.
The infographic below offers insights into the popularity of the object oriented programming language for various web development use cases like data analysis, web development, machine learning, and more.
- Syntax Similar to the English Language
You get access to simpler syntax with the Python language. It helps deal with complex systems and develop clear relationships across various code sections. It also offers a simple learning curve to beginners and provides easy onboarding for developers. The language also facilitates data representation in various formats via charts and plots.
- Several Up-to-Date Libraries for Developing Web Applications
Developers can access several advanced Python libraries and frameworks for developing modern web applications. Django remains at the top of the most widely used Python frameworks. It offers a comprehensive platform where you get most of the basics done, removing the pain of building and integrating vital parts necessary to form a web server.
In fact, Django comes with several packages for developing different project requirements. This Python web framework has also been used to develop Instagram. The infographic below offers insights into using different Python packages for developing web apps.
TensorFlow is another Python library useful in machine learning applications and has been designed and developed by Google. Google Voice Search and Google Photos use TensorFlow.
If you are looking for a micro-framework that offers more flexibility in the web development process, you can go with Flask. The framework offers limited features, but Python web developers gain significant flexibility in the development process.
- An Abundance of Python Developers
You can easily find a suitable Python developer for a web development project. As demonstrated in research by Statista, Python holds the second largest developers community in the programming world, with 15.7 million developers in 2022. The infographic below offers insights.
Its versatile nature and more straightforward learning curve have made it a preferred choice in web development technology. According to Bram Cohen, the American programmer & author behind the peer-to-peer BitTorrent protocol in 2001, Python is an excellent language for writing applications that need regular maintenance.
“My favourite language for maintainability is Python. It has simple, clean syntax, object encapsulation, good library support, and optional named parameters.”
– Bram Cohen
While Python offers great support in web development projects, it is not fault-free. There are areas where the language needs significant improvements.
Cons of Using Python for Web Frameworks
- Needs Improvement in Speed Performance
Python falls behind other web frameworks in terms of speed performance as an interpreted scripting language. It is relatively slower than compiled programming languages like C, C++, and others. Web engineers building an application where speed plays a pivotal role should choose alternatives.
- Suffers from Design Restrictions
Several tasks execute during the app runtime as a dynamically typed programming language. Loading the webpage with several elements sometimes leads to unexpected glitches in performance. However, this can be addressed by an experienced web developer by deploying industry-standard development approaches.
The Python Programming Language – Wrapping Up
At chilliapple, we use Python for a broad range of application and web development. This advanced programming language allows us to build future-proof and highly scalable solutions in less time.
We recommend that businesses consider Python when it comes to web development requiring task automation, data visualisation, data analysis, and more. It is also a clear option for developing AI and machine learning based web applications.
