The Python programming language has been around for over 20 years but these days it feels like it is an overnight sensation. Python has moved from being a fringe language for beginners, biologists, and natural language analysis to being the go-to language in nearly every domain of computing. Whlie there is a lot of inertia in the choice of a programming language for a project, the adoption pattern of Python is quite different than “that cool new language that came out a few years ago”. While most new programming languages are exciting for early adopters, by the time they are a few years old, many early adopters have moved on to the next big thing and the languages never find their way into the mainstream. Python seems different – Python seems to have a solid and continuously growing market share – and in particular Python seems to invade and take over application areas previously dominated by well-established technologies. We will look at some of the inherent aspects of Python that make it “sticky” – once you go Python you rarely go back or go anywhere else. This presentation will also look at the world’s largest programming course (in Python) and how the course fits into the Python movement and how the course benefits from Apereo Open Source Software, Open Educational Resources, and the Open Course Enrollment (a.k.a the MOOC movement).
Abstract for Apereo 2019