Python taking over C++

Question

In recent months, Python has grown more popular than C++ and people tend to use Python more. Even the C++ programmers have turned to Python.

Even the schools' curriculum is changing for Comp. Sc. to teach Python instead of C++. Why is this sudden shift happening?

Answer 1

"Even C++ programmers have turned to Python."

Because what they've been doing does not require the speed and efficiency of C/C++ in the first place. Python would be a poor choice for writing an OS, real time computing applications, or even A.I. frameworks and libraries (https://stackoverflow.com/questions/35677724/).

"Even the schools' curriculum is changing for Comp. Sc. to teach Python instead of C++."

I've spoke with some lecturers in the past, and some have adopted the idea of teaching Python over C++, because "it is easy to learn, teach and it wont drive our students away". It is true that we have a generation of educators who would teach Python over C++, not due to relevancy aspects in working environments, but rather the ease of teaching it. It's even sadder that some have began to affirm the stereotype that C++ is "too hard for beginners". The many wrong reasons behind this "shift" in curriculum makes it a bad indicator that "Python is taking over C++".

Answer 2

The fact is Python is easier to learn and that, with the actual speed of our processors, apps don't need to be fast.
But Python will never replace c++, and even c, because many python libraries that make python faster are written in c (pygame with SDL).
Moreover, python is really useless while working with microprocessor (embedded) or while working on system development (os for instance).

Answer 3

I believe the hype with Python is more among learners. Outside of data scientists, devops, and a few isolated, high profile case studies, I've still not gotten any sense that Python has gained any serious traction for commercial or enterprise application development.

While my own experiences and that of those in my rather large developer network are anecdotal, I still haven't gotten even a hint of anyone considering Python for any mission critical development applications.

I've commented on this in many other threads in SoloLearn. Here are 2 links I've tracked down worth reviewing.

I recommend sorting those by date and reviewing all the comments.

https://www.sololearn.com/Discuss/1271116/?ref=app

https://www.sololearn.com/Discuss/1157032/?ref=app

Note:
--------------------------
I just posted this on another thread. I'm posting here since it's relevant here as well.

https://www.sololearn.com/Discuss/1725548/?ref=app

Answer 4

Rock Leone
LOL... That was a great visualization describing a creative spin on the hype around python. 😉

I've always thought python lived up to it's name origin - only in a very different way.

Considering it was named after the British sketch comedy group, Monty Python, it's a great language to have fun tinkering around with.

However, it's not the language of choice for most serious enterprise application development projects.

Answer 5

I love both of them.

Answer 6

rajesh kumar I already know Python well but thanks for your explanation.

Answer 7

Talles Menegon What you say is true for most people. From my personal experience, my classmates had a lot of problem in understanding C++ and even more problem scoring marks in CS. (We currently gave our annual exams for std. 11)

As for me, I think C++ should be taught in schools over Python because it helps in understanding the basics of programming in general. It directly goes back to C, which is the foundation language of Python.

P.S. I am the class subject topper of CS.

Answer 8

Théophile Even I think the same. With C++, students can learn the basics of programming and understand how codes function. This would be the foundation that would help them learn new languages with ease.

Answer 9

Easy and good language for beginners .I am also learning python

Answer 10

There is a lot of reason for that but I will state few
1.Python is very easy and Powerful why c++ is more complex compare to the power it posses
2.Python code are clean
Quick to understand
3.Most people think Python is the Future since it is associated with The A.I while C++ focus only on system and application
4.People love Python because you don't need to know the language in debt before you start doing great things with it
5. Since Python are associate with data Science , the demand are very high for data Scientist so this make it great choice to choose if you need to get a well pay Job .
I hope these reason I enough to help you understand the sudden shift happening

Answer 11

Note that Python never competed with "company sponsored " languages such as Java, C#, or even C++. These languages had the backing of companies like Sun (now Oracle) and Microsoft, and enjoy a different status in big corporations willing to pay money for support. Fortune 500 companies work like that, and that's how these languages will continue to enjoy dominance at the top of the rankings. PHP is probably the only "open source language" that was ever able to make a dent on this (as it is accepted in many global corporations).

In retrospect, saying that Python became popular only for the last couple years is far from true. It's a language with a very long and rich history, and that (despite being completely free and without any corporate sponsor) came to be one of the most important languages in use now.

Answer 12

I am a new programer and i found the Python is easy to learn than C languages because it's more close to spoken language.

Answer 13

Because python syntax is extremely simple so it gives confidence to a beginner in computer programming .Python also has very large community and its use in various companies and in deep learning, machine learning, artificial intelligence has given python a huge popularity in community of coders.

Answer 14

There are many reasons for this shift. Many new young people are getting into python because it is easier ti learn. Also another factor may be that python is good for AI and data analsys among other things.

Answer 15

The majority of challenges that a student firstly faces doesn't requires the coding complexity and computational efficiency associated with c++
Python isn't fast, but is fast enough to their needs, and infinitely easier to teach/learn, don't you think so?

Answer 16

Well Python is recommended to newbies due to its simple syntax. C++ is more difficult thus newbies don't choose it as the first language.

For Data and Computer Science using Python should be enough. And I think, Python is more universal and that's attractive to the most people.

But still, C++ is still popular due to its potential. Think about large 3D games, most of them are written on C++ and will be written in the future unless there will be one more language that's as powerful as C++.

So I think, there is no concrete way to say what's more popular. Both of these languages have own advantages and disadvantages.

Answer 17

also code a lot in C++. It’s harder to learn, because it’s a low-level language (i.e. it is a fundamental building block for other languages like Python), but it gives you all the control that you don’t have with even Python.

Answer 18

not absolutely

Answer 19

In France, in high school, students have the possibility to learn how to code.
But, they are taught Scratch programming langage and Python, and they never learn the 'class' keyword...

I think they should learn c++ language to begin, then other programing language will be easy to understand.

Answer 20

But computers only speak machine langage! XD
Using python, you will learn the basics of programming, then you will learn all the details about memory, and you'll really have lot of fun!
If you want to develop some python libraries, that need to be fast, you'll have to use c langage...