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Introduced in 1989, Python is a versatile computer language that encourages concise programming, readable code, and uncluttered program design. It's perfect for organizations needing strong back-end or server-side features for handling large amounts of data and complex calculations.
Python Languages and Tools
Programming speed is the main advantage of Python use. Coding efficiency studies document that using Python cuts development time by up to 50 percent and requires fewer lines of code.
A great library ecosystem is an often-cited virtue of the Python language. That means that successful Python software engineers can use many combinations of Python tools and languages to accomplish project goals. These Python developers are usually experienced in, and comfortable with, a suite of popular Python programming and scripting languages, frameworks, and tools.
Python programming language
Python is an interpreted, high-level language, which supports object-oriented programming. The language is enormously popular because it’s accessible, versatile, and easy to learn, read, and share in projects that include:
- Web and internet development
- Desktop, GUI, and scientific/numeric apps
- Software development apps
- Network programming
- Data science and deep learning
Popular Python frameworks
Python developers can use web development frameworks to build powerful web applications that solve complex problems requiring algorithms, scripting, and processing massive amounts of data. You can also hire Python programmers to use minimalist frameworks to build and deliver small/less complex web applications quickly.
- Django is a high-level Python Web framework that encourages rapid development and clean designs. Its emphasis is on development speed, security, and scalability.
- Flask is a lightweight WSGI web application framework. The goal: simplifying getting started, and scalability to complex applications.
- Pyramid is an open-source web framework written in Python. Based on WSGI architecture, Pyramid was created by combining Pylons and repoze.bfg. The result: a flexible, easy-to-use framework.
- CherryPy enables developers to build web applications as they would build any other object-oriented Python program. Now more than ten years old, the app has proven to be very fast and stable.
- TurboGears 2 reinvents the original TurboGears project by adding new components and providing a fully customizable WSGI stack.
Python development tools:
A wide array of libraries support machine learning as well as data analytics and visualization projects. An up-to-date Python developer should know how to use these popular tools:
- PyBuilder — Python offers several robust unit-testing libraries. PyBuilder is well known for its ease of implementation, ease of use, and ongoing contributions from its community.
- Sphinx — Often thought of as the most recommended and comprehensive documentation generator, Sphinx supports reStructuredText in docstrings and produces HTML output with an easy-to-read visual style.
- Buildbot — A continuous integration software development tool that automates the compile or test cycle required to validate changes to a project code base.
Hiring the Best Python Developers
The global demand for Python developers is skyrocketing, so prepare for a serious search for new and experienced programming talent. Here are a few tips designed for hiring managers engaged in the hunt.
Define candidate’s job profile
There are several things to consider when you start your hiring efforts. Task #1: Develop a candidate profile.
This candidate profile will help you put your thoughts in order before you start recruiting, outlining who would work well in your unique work environment in the roles of web application developer, data engineer, or machine learning specialist, for example. Whatever Python coders job you put up on job boards should be concise and specific. We’ve listed some of the things you should take into account below.
Technical abilities
There’s plenty that any experienced Python developer needs to know. Python-specific capabilities include:
- Knowing how to use Python throughout the development cycle.
- Understanding how to write maintainable “Pythonic” code.
- Knowing about current use trends in Python programming.
- Mastering the local technology stack. It’s no longer enough to have broad language knowledge.
Employers highly value candidates who are familiar with a specific technology stack because it brings business value. That means candidates must know about — and have experience using — the frameworks, scripting languages, and tools that work well at different stages of your Python projects.
- Ability to support development use cases that are most important at your organization.
- Basic understanding of front-end technologies (HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, etc.).
- Understanding version control best practices in a Python environment.
For web application work, judge your candidate’s:
- Ability to decompose business requirements to system requirements.
- Database knowledge (SQL, index, transaction, schema design, etc.).
- Experience in system operations (deployment, monitoring, logging, etc.).
For data science-related projects, make sure your interviewee has a firm grasp on:
- Building data pipelines.
- Manipulating data smoothly.
- Machine learning-related knowledge (regression, decision trees, etc.).
- Statistics and analytical skills.
You know your operations best, so you probably have a set of questions that pertain to your organization’s requirements. But what about general questions related to use trends and background knowledge? You can find examples of good web developer interview questions here.
Soft skills
Coding as a team is intense. Developers need strong soft skills to contribute effectively to the team. Weak soft skills can hinder team dynamics and productivity.
It's important to make sure your top candidate can speak clearly, communicate well, and work well in a group. Because Python development projects are ideal for remote work, you should also explore the candidate’s experience and skills in working offsite projects, if any.
Finding Python Developers for Your Project or Staff
The best approach is to take an active stance in finding top Python developers. Given the skyrocketing popularity of Python developers and projects, you might have to go into the field to find your next programming superstar. So, where do you look?
Online communities
Communities are much more than gatherings devoted to teaching and learning Python code. They also tend to be a fortress of encouragement, which helps both entry-level Python developers and experienced developers master Python capabilities. Look for current and future Python champions at these and similar locations:
- Python Community – Full Stack Python
- PySlackers
- Search for Python on local Meetup announcements
Hackathons
Coding, competition, and improving your street cred as a developer: hackathons must be a little bit of coder heaven. Here are some events where developers wanting to improve their skills hang out:
- ChallengeRocket, ace hackathon organizers of Europe’s very best hackathons and online challenges.
- HackerEarth developer events include a host of competitions for developers looking for a challenge. Example: The Python Easy : Mock Online Coding Assessments
- Galvanize Phoenix organizes Python learning events; this one’s for beginners.
Conferences
For those who want to get together with kindred spirits and learn the latest and greatest use cases and coding techniques, conferences are the places to be. Here are several events in the U.S. and overseas:
- Python.org provides a wide-ranging list of global workshops.
- Python.org also provides a bulletin board of U.S. and overseas events.
- This Opensource.com article highlights regional U.S. conferences for Python practitioners.
Competitive Pay for Python Developers
Many factors determine appropriate pay rates: levels of development talent, supply and demand, specific skills, time worked at different roles, and geographical location. Let’s look at Python salaries and hourly rates offered throughout the United States.
Salaries and freelance rates
In the United States, the average Python developer salary is $124,730. Python entry-level salary starts at $102,964, whereas senior-level Python developer salary can go up to $156,000.
Top regional Python coding salaries include:
- California: $135,000
- Illinois: $129,643
- Massachusetts: $140,000
- New York: $137,575
- Washington: $122,500
Salaried Python developers aren’t the only folks benefitting from Python’s exploding popularity — contractors are doing well, too.
Hourly rates for independent Python coders reflect the same, highly variable factors as salaried workers. The median 2019 hourly rate of Python developers is approximately $61. Expressed as a national median annual salary, that’s $128,832.
Next Steps
The general idea of the hiring process involves getting maximum value from the time and cost you spend hiring Python developers. To ensure maximum returns on the time-effort investment, consider these suggestions:
- Engage in face-to-face and virtual events to find the best in Python talent.
- Customize job descriptions carefully for each position. Technologies and IT practices change. So, make sure that each job post reflects the up-to-the-minute value and priorities your company assigns to each position’s skills and experience.
- Keep in tune with changes in pay rates for Python pros nationally to avoid losing good talent and paying too little. However, use your pay research to keep your hiring budget in line with regional norms to avoid paying too much.
- Work with Arc’s expert remote Python developers!