Today, there’s no getting away from Python when it comes to web development. The programming language has emerged as one of the most popular of its kind. In fact, in 2021, Stack Overflow found that as much as two-thirds of the developers currently using the language feel very positively about Python and plan to continue doing so. Now, as more innovations promise even greater functionality, it seems clear that Python will cement itself as a global standard in the future.
Python acts as a general-purpose programming language that can be used for virtually any kind of software imaginable. It can be used to create websites, AI constructs, faster servers, business software and much more.
As we can see from the chart above, the majority of respondents in the field of data science prefer to use Python as their primary choice of programming language. This is largely down to the strong levels of security and adaptability that the language can boast in comparison to major rivals like SQL and R.
With the recent PyCon 2022 suggestion that Python developers may soon be capable of running code within their own browsers, its popularity may become strong enough to become an industry standard in a future that’s punctuated by Web3.0 potential.
Let’s take a deeper look at what the coming months could hold in terms of upcoming innovations for Python developers and businesses looking to adopt Python frameworks to bolster their online presence:
Browser-Based Python
One of the biggest drawbacks of Python has been that it’s impossible for users to run its code in a browser. Despite its popularity, Python falls short in comparison to another widely used programming language, JavaScript.
However, this may soon change. At PyCon 2022, which is an annual conference for the language’s more passionate users, developers have claimed that it may soon be possible to run the code within browsers.
PyCon 2022 was the first incarnation of the annual event, which due to Covid-19 reasons has been unable to reconvene since 2019. In this three year gap, it appears that a flurry of new developments have been unveiled that could help to ensure Python’s position as a developer favorite remains.
When it comes to browser compatibility, Python hasn’t supported compilation to the WebAssembly (Wasm) runtime, which acts as a key IC3 web application that utilizes code written in Rust, C, C++, and is capable of converting into a binary format. This helps web-based applications to behave more like desktop applications when outside the browser.
"Python can be run on many platforms: Linux, Windows, Apple (News - Alert) Macs, microcomputers, and even Android devices. But it's a widely known fact that, if you want code to run in a browser, Python is simply no good – you'll just have to turn to JavaScript," suggested The Python Software Foundation in a recent blog post. "Now, however, that may be about to change."
CPython developers Christian Heimes and Ethan Smith shared their findings at PyCon 2022, specifying that they have enabled CPython’s main branch to compile to WebAssembly. CPython is the abbreviated name for Core Python, and is the reference implementation that other Python languages derive from.
Such a development will be a massive step for the adoption of Python’s programming language - particularly as businesses ramp up their online presence ahead of Web3.0. With CPython now cross-compiling to WebAssembly via Emscripten - which is a toolchain compiling projects written in C or C++ to Node.js or Wasm runtimes - it’s possible for developers to enjoy far greater functionality in their programming.
The Arrival of CPython brings Greater Speeds
CPython is expected to launch in October 2022, and will include a collection of key improvements in terms of performance and support. The fundamental reason for this improved functionality stems from the availability of C Run-time, as well as greater compatibility with C/C++ programming languages.
At PyCon, CPython’s development team confirmed a series of changes that are set to improve the speed of the language.
At this stage, the Microsoft (News - Alert) HotPy project has been lured in by the prospect of operating on CPython to the point where the project is set to embrace the improved incarnation of the language.
Through the utility of a JIT (Just-In-Time) runtime compiler, it’s possible to experience speeds up to a factor of 10 for pure python code. Analytics Insight notes that the beta version of CPython 3.11 is, on average, around 25% faster in benchmark testing. Furthermore, the project has a roadmap for more improvements and additions.
All of these improvements will be music to the ears of business leaders looking to better market themselves in the age of digital transformation. CPython’s greater functionality means that it can be easier for in-house teams to make changes on the fly, or simpler for Python development teams to better communicate and collaborate with clients in real-time.
Today, Python is the world’s best loved programming language, and with upcoming developments that are set to deliver greater functionality and speeds, it’s clear that it’s going to take some beating when it comes to the mechanics of the internet.
