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PythonServer Side ProgrammingProgramming
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In this article, we will see the better version of Python is better for beginners.
There used to be some controversy in the coding community regarding which Python version was the best to learn: Python 2 vs Python 3. (or, specifically, Python 2.7 vs 3.5).
Python 3 is the winner for beginners or those looking to update their abilities in 2018.
In this article, We'll go through why Python 3 is better and why businesses are migrating from Python 2 to 3.
What is Python 2?
Python 2.0 was released to the computer world in the year 2000. The introduction of Python 2 by the BeOpen Python Labs team was designed to make programming simple and easy to learn for the general public.
Python 2 was effective in delivering the Python Enhancement Proposal(PEP) technical specifications. However, following the advent of Python 3, Python 2 saw little use in the computer sector, and the year 2020 marked the end of Python 2's legacy, with Python 2.7 being its most recent version.
The following is a timeline of the release of the various Python 2. X series versions −
- Python 2.0 − October 16, 2000
- Python 2.1 − April 17, 2001
- Python 2.2 − December 21, 2001
- Python 2.3 − July 29, 2003
- Python 2.4 − November 30, 2004
- Python 2.5 − September 19, 2006
- Python 2.6 − October 1, 2008
- Python 2.7 − July 3, 2010
What is Python 3?
Python 3, which was released in 2008, was more than just a debugged version of Python 2. Python's creation was primarily motivated by the desire to eliminate redundancy - writing repetitive code or writing the same piece of code over and over - from coding. Python 3 is backwards incompatible and tries to solve the challenges that new programmers have when learning a programming language.
The following is a timeline of the various Python 3.X series releases −
- Python 3.0 − December 3, 2008
- Python 3.1 − June 27, 2009
- Python 3.2 − February 20, 2011
- Python 3.3 − September 29, 2012
- Python 3.4 − March 16, 2014
- Python 3.5 − September 13, 2015
- Python 3.6 − October 2016
- Python 3.7 − June 2018.
Which version of Python is better for beginners?
The answer is quite simple. Learn the most recent version.
Python3's modifications have made it easier for beginners to understand, making it the greatest way to learn Python for the first time.
Which Is the Better to Learn? Python 2 or Python 3
Yes, it is better to learn than Python 2.
Many businesses continue to utilize Python 2 fourteen years after the release of Python 3 because converting code from Python 2 to Python 3 is time-consuming. It could take several years. DropBox took 3 years to migrate, even though Guido Van Rossum worked for them.
So, while learning Python 3 is beneficial, knowledge of Python 2 is still advantageous. For example, if your organization is still using obsolete code or is in the process of migrating, some information is useful. However, many developers have lost interest in Python 2.
Python 3 is the latest, most user-friendly, secure, and most powerful option. Python 3 is the obvious choice for new developers now that Python 2 support has been withdrawn. Beyond the Python 2 vs 3 issues, there's also Java or HTML language to consider, among many others. Starting with the most recent language is the safest option.
Moreover, employers will prefer Python 3 experience over Python 2. While it is beneficial to be skilled in several languages, Python 3 is the most widely used and is more likely to help your professional progress.
Why Should you Learn Python 2?
The following are some of the best reasons to learn Python 2 −
You will need to work with both Python versions if you want to become a DevOps engineer. For example, you might need to use configuration tools like puppet or ansible. Python 2 would be beneficial.
If your prospective employer's code is written in Python 2, you'll need to be familiar with it. Alternatively, if your organization is migrating from Python 2 to Python 3, you will need to master the latter.
If your team is working on a project that specifically uses third-party libraries or software in Python 2 and you are unable to convert it to Python 3, you must learn it.
Python 2 has been around for a longer time. This means that there are a lot more Python 2 libraries out there, and not all of them have migrated to Python 3. As a result, you may find yourself employing Python 2 on occasion.
It is up to you to decide whether it is worthwhile to work with earlier coding languages.
Why Should you Learn Python 3?
If you've been following the Python 2 vs. 3 discussions, you'll notice that there is a clear winner. Although Python 2 has its merits, learning Python 3 is more advantageous, especially for beginning developers. The following are the top reasons why you should learn Python 3.
Python 3 improves AI, machine learning, and data science support. It has more updates that Python 2 does not have.
Python 3 is still supported and has a large user base to help with support, whereas Python 2 was discontinued in 2020. Python 3 is one of the most rapidly evolving programming languages. It is a simpler and more efficient language than Python 2, as well as C#, R, and Java.
Python 3 is a simpler language with a clearer syntax. Python 3 allows you to create code more rapidly and elegantly.
Avoid syntax ambiguity—slight grammatical variations between Python 2 and 3 may confuse newcomers. The better option is to learn Python 3.
Python 3 is in high demand in almost every business. Whether you want to be a software developer or not, including Python 3 on your CV can help you get a job. Python 3 developers are valued in industries such as recruitment, healthcare, finance, marketing, and education.
Why are companies migrating from Python 2 to Python 3?
As previously said, most businesses continue to use Python 2 for legacy reasons, but an increasing number of businesses are employing Python 3 or are in the process of migrating from 2 to 3.
So, let's take a look at Instagram and Facebook, two companies that have either migrated to Python 3 or are doing so, and why they did so.
Instagram migrated the majority of its Python code base from Python 2.7 to Python 3 in 2017.
Reasons
Python is not typically a typed language, but Python v3.5 now supports typing, which eliminates developmental issues while writing new code.
Python's runtime gets quicker with each new version. Meanwhile, no one is working to make Python 2.7 run more quickly.
Python 3 has improved community support.
Facebook is presently upgrading its infrastructure and handlers from Python 2 to Python 3.4.
"The simplicity of utilizing Python libraries means that product developers don't have to create or maintain as much code, allowing them to focus on getting enhancements live," according to RealPython. It also assures that Facebook's infrastructure can scale efficiently."
Difference between Python 2 vs Python 3
The following table shows the key differences between Python 2 vs Python 3 −
| Parameters | Python 2.x | Python 3.x |
|---|---|---|
| Released Year | 2000 | 2008 |
| “Print” Keyword | In Python 2, print is regarded as a statement rather than a function.eg − print “tutorials” | In Python 3, print is regarded as a function rather than a statement.eg − print(“tutorials”) |
| Storage of Strings | Strings are stored as ASCII by default in Python 2. | Strings are stored as UNICODE by default in Python 3. |
| Division of Integers | In python2, When you divide two integers, you always get an integer value. | When two integers are divided, a float value is returned in python3 |
| Syntax | The syntax of Python 2 was relatively tough to grasp. | The syntax of python3 is simple and easy to understand. |
| Exceptions | In python2, Exceptions are enclosed in notations. | Exceptions are enclosed within parentheses in python3 |
| Variable leakage | While using inside the for-loop, the value of the global variable will change. | In python3, Variable values never change. |
| Libraries | Many Python 2 libraries are NOT forward compatible. | Many libraries are written in Python 3 to be used only with Python 3. |
| Backward compatibility | Python 2 code can be converted to Python 3 with considerable effort. | Python 3 does not support backward compatibility with Python 2. |
| Iteration | For iterations, Python 2 includes the xrange() method. | To execute iterations, Python 3 introduced the new Range() method. |
| Today's use | Python 2 has been deprecated since 2020. | Python 3 is more widely used than Python 2 and is still in use today. |
Conclusion
There is a clear winner in the Python 2 vs. Python 3 dispute. While Python 2 was popular in the early 2000s, Python 3 is the greatest option for learning in 2022. Python 2 may be required in specific instances, however, Python 3 is the most often used language.
Vikram Chiluka
Updated on: 15-Dec-2022
5K+ Views
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