[Feature Article] Programming language Python Why is it so popular? --Tools to accelerate Python programming

Features of Python – What's Popular

Python is an object-oriented programming language copyrighted by the Python Software Foundation (PSF).It is a popular language from beginners to advanced programming because it has a simple programming syntax and is highly readable, and it also has abundant components such as libraries and frameworks (*) according to the purpose. ..

• Library: A set of convenient "functions" (= a collection of processes for executing defined actions), a "module" that is a collection of the functions, and a "package" that summarizes the modules. Module

• Framework: A framework for development work that summarizes useful functions (including the above library) for developing applications, etc.

Python has a rich set of standard libraries that can perform various processes, and the Python Package Index (which lists open source libraries and frameworks).P&IP) Is provided, from which you can download and use what you need.

About the standard library (from Python documentation):
https://docs.python.org/ja/3/library/index.html

Python Package Index (PyPI):
https://pypi.org/

One of the reasons why Python is so popular is that it has many libraries and frameworks for different purposes, and it is one of its strengths.

What kind of use is it used for?

Python is used in many areas.Since it is a programming language, what you do with it varies depending on the user, but here we will introduce some of the main application fields.

Scientific calculation

Python is widely used in programming to make machines execute processing in calculations, analyzes, simulations, etc., which are performed in various fields such as mathematics, science, engineering, physics, and chemistry. To do these things in Python, there are many libraries available for numerical calculations, array processing, data analysis, graphing, machine learning, and more.

"" is famous for scientific and technological calculations in Python.Anaconda"is. Anaconda is a distribution (* collection of packages, etc.) of Python and R (programming language) for scientific and technological calculations. Along with the installation of Python itself, libraries such as NumPy (numerical calculation), SciPy (numerical analysis), Pandas (data analysis), and Matplotlib (graph drawing) can be obtained as a set, making the environment for scientific and technological calculations easy. Can be built into.

Please note that due to the change in terms of use announced in April 2020, it has been announced that a paid license (Team Edition / Enterprise Edition) will be required to use Anaconda for commercial activities.It seems that small-scale (companies with less than 4 employees) and non-commercial use will continue to be available free of charge.Please see the Anaconda website for details.

Sustaining our stewardship of the open-source data science community (2020/4/30 NEWS page)
https://www.anaconda.com/blog/sustaining-our-stewardship-of-the-open-source-data-science-community

Terms of Service
https://www.anaconda.com/terms-of-service

Python is a language called an interpreter type, and in fact, it has the characteristic that the processing operation of the created program is slower than that of compiled languages ​​such as C and Fortran.However, many of these libraries suitable for scientific computing are implemented in a compiled language, which is characterized by high processing speed, which compensates for the disadvantage of slow Python processing.

Among scientific and technological calculations, the fields of AI (artificial intelligence), artificial intelligence, and machine learning in the next section are receiving particular attention.

AI (artificial intelligence), machine learning / deep learning

Python is becoming a major language in this field, as it is said that "Python is AI and machine learning!"

Anaconda in the previous section also includes libraries related to AI and machine learning, but there are other libraries developed by Facebook.PytorchAnd "" developed by GoogleTensorFlowThe library is famous (it also supports languages ​​other than Python).By using these, it is possible to carry out neural network construction, image classification, etc. necessary for machine learning (deep learning).

Python is also available in the SDK (software development environment) of that humanoid robot Pepper, which is familiar as an AI-introduced entity (there are also Java and C ++ SDKs).

application development

Python is also used for desktop application development, but it is said that it is more used in the field of web application development.Specifically, Python develops these web services that we use on a daily basis, such as YouTube, Instagram, and Dropbox.

When using Python in web application development, it is famous that "DjangoIt is a framework called. It comes with features such as user authentication, content management, sitemap, and RSS feeds that are required for web applications, and you can create them immediately by using Django.It also covers aspects necessary for WEB services such as security measures and multilingual support, enabling speedy application development.

Of course, even in development that does not use frameworks, Python's features such as simple syntax and high readability can be said to be an advantage in application development performed by multiple people.

A product that accelerates and assists research and development in Python

In addition to the libraries and frameworks introduced so far, Python is being developed and released around the world as a convenient product for programming in Python.Some of them are introduced below.

ActiveState Platform (ActivePython)

A language distribution provided by ActiveState of Canada, "ActivePythonAn integrated platform available. ActivePython includes over 400 popular Python packages useful for programming in web application development, data science, machine learning, etc., and also provides commercial grade support for security, license compliance, etc. I am.

The Python packages included in ActivePython hereplease look at

Python For Web Development
https://www.activestate.com/products/python/python-web-development/

Python For Data Science
https://www.activestate.com/products/python/python-data-science/

Python For Machine Learning
https://www.activestate.com/products/python/python-machine-learning/

The ActiveState Platform license can use Perl – ActivePerl, Tcl (Tool Command Language) – ActiveTcl as an integrated platform in addition to Python.You can also use Komodo IDE, the company's integrated development environment.

PyQt

A framework for creating cross-platform GUI applications (desktop applications)Qt, Python binding (Python version). An integrated development environment tool that is useful when programming GUI applications in Python.

PyQt is available free of charge when used under the GNU General Public License, otherwise PyQt Commercial Version is required.This Commercial Version can be purchased at Unipos.

About the GNU General Public License (GNU GPL):
https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.html

PyArmor

A command line tool for obfuscating and protecting Python scripts. It is a popular tool that can ensure the high security of scripts created with Pyrhon.

Python scripts obfuscated by PyArmor can be run like regular Python scripts.Bytecode is obfuscated as soon as each code object completes execution, ensuring a high degree of security.You can also set an expiration date for the obfuscated script, or bind it to the HDD serial number / network card MAC address / IP address.

It supports various platforms such as Windows, Linux, MacOS, and embedded systems such as Raspberry Pi.

Made-to-order PC for numerical analysis and machine learning

Our company Tegara Corporation's custom-made PC production service Tegsys uses Python, such as a PC for scientific and technological calculations, numerical calculations, and simulations using Python, and a PC for machine learning using libraries such as Pytorch. We have received many inquiries from our research and developers.

It's not "optimized for Python itself" ... but for scientific computing, for example, if the computing program is parallelized, it has a large number of CPU cores, or if it is a single-core processing program. For example, we will propose the most suitable PC according to the application, such as one with a high CPU clock frequency, or one with multiple GPUs for machine learning.

The Tegsys website provides examples of proposals tailored to various requests, so if you are interested, please take a look.

Other Python related products

So far, we have introduced things that are useful for work and development using Python, but we will also introduce things that can add functions to programming deliverables using Python, hardware development tools that use Python, and so on.

PyRFA

PyRFA is a market information distribution system provided by Thomson Reuters "Reuters Market Data Systems (RMDS)"-For example, Elektron, TREP-RT, RDF-D, legacy RMDS etc. are accessed in real time in Python language and information is provided. It is a Python API that can be obtained.

PyRFA Enterprise Support handled by Unipos is an enterprise support license that allows you to receive consulting from manufacturers regarding projects using such PyRFA (Examples of support: Level 2 data, data contribution, multicast publishing, data replay, etc.) ..You can also access PyRFA's GitHub private repository by registering for Enterprise Support.

PYNQ-Z1 / PYNQ-Z2 (Python Productivity for Zynq)

An open source project for designing embedded systems using Xilinx's System on a chip (SoC) Zynq.PYNQMoreFPGA board that supports.Used for digital circuit designDoes not require a hardware description language (HDL)It is possible to build various embedded systems in a programming environment such as software development using Python and libraries.

Summary

The appeal of Python is the "simple" nature of Python itself and the fulfilling environment created and extended by those who are attracted to it.

In addition, as AI and the technology to which it is applied become more widespread in the future, Python, which has a rich programming environment for its development, can be said to be a programming language that will be in increasing demand in the future.

Our company, Tegara Corporation, receives many inquiries about Python-related products from research and developers every day.In this article, we have introduced popular products that we have handled so far, but even if you have never handled a product before, Tegara will contact manufacturers and developers around the world to confirm whether it can be handled. I will give you a quote. Please feel free to contact us if you have any requests such as "I want this software / hardware sold by this manufacturer!".