Why you need a Python developer for your software development project

As AI, machine learning as well as other subset technologies such as deep learning and Natural Language Processing (NLP) continue to increase in demand, software outsourcing companies realise the massive value Python can offer in order to help their clientele adopt such intelligent technologies into their own businesses.

As a highly flexible programming language, Python is also easy for new developers to learn and adopt. Ideal for data analytics and machine learning, Python has much value to offer, thereby making it a programming language that has garnered much community buzz through reusable modules, frameworks and support for developers.

In this article, we break down what Python is, while delivering a detailed guide into hiring the right Python developer for your unique business needs.

What is Python?

Python is an object-oriented and dynamically typed programming language that is mainly used for back-end scripting. What this means is that Python revolves around data, as opposed to functions – while determining data types for variables as the language is typed. This makes Python a language that is easy to learn for new developers, while also being fast enough to code as type declarations need not be made until runtime.

Thanks to its ease of use and quick coding turnarounds, Python is now indispensable for many uses that specifically range from data analytics to machine learning. An easier syntax also makes it popular among remote developers, especially those that are just starting out in the field of software programming to embrace the language, build their skills and help data analysts crunch numbers more effectively in order to aid business decision making.

What are the best use cases for Python?

As an object-oriented programming language, Python is ideal for use cases surrounding data analytics, including pattern detection and forecasting. Some of these include:

• Data science: As data science embraces existing datasets (particularly big data) to identify patterns, Python is suitable for building queries that can help detect patterns that may otherwise have never been discovered – or even assumed by analysts, for that matter.
• Data scraping: Need to scrape large amounts of data in one go off a website, or even multiple websites? Python can help build entire databases by scraping data off of public domains, so teams have sufficient data to get started with relevant number crunching. This is ideal in cases where there is a lack of big data available, for training intelligent algorithms.
• Machine learning: As AI and machine learning continues to skyrocket in popularity, Python helps deliver these intelligent technologies to organisations that are just starting out. Provided your team has sufficient big data, algorithms can be built and then ‘trained’ to deliver insights, with Python. As more data is gathered and fed back to the algorithm, this establishes a cycle of improvement for the algorithm, as it can now become more advanced with every input of fresh data.

Owing to its high level of utility that even includes the adoption of machine learning, Python has long since been embraced by software companies in Sri Lanka to deliver more than just basic software and website development. Outsourcing providers are now equipped to even take on advanced business intelligence as well as workflow automation that is powered by AI and machine learning, so they can deliver all the services a client needs from under one roof.

How do you choose the best Python software developer for your project?

As with hiring a developer that specialises in any other programming language (or even hiring any other non-development team member, for that matter), your business needs to thoroughly evaluate candidates against an established set of criteria in order to be eligible for getting hired into the team. Here, we outline these steps as a blueprint for businesses that are looking to hire a suitable Python software developer for their project.

However, if partnered with a reliable IT outsourcing company, this process is bound to be smoother as these steps shall mostly be undertaken by the outsourcing partner – with certain key aspects such as information gathering and interview rounds requiring direct involvement from the client.

Establish a set of criteria

Before embarking on a headhunt, list down a set of criteria that your Python developer of choice needs to meet, in order to be eligible for employment. While this list will certainly include hard skills such as knowledge and experience in the Python programming language, your project may also have any industry or compliance related requirements that need to be fulfilled – which must be identified and subsequently added upon consulting the right internal team members.

Additionally, don’t forget soft skills surrounding team collaboration, timeliness and effective communication. While soft skills are items that candidates cannot tangibly prove via a resume and cover letter, they can be evaluated for these upon having a one-on-one interview and practical exam.

Evaluate candidates based on practical skills, and not just experience

Once a candidate has been selected for the next stage in evaluation following the initial interview round, practical assignments that are offered need to help identify soft skills as well as cognitive thinking abilities, in addition to a textbook knowledge of Python.

One assignment should be sufficient, and needs to be built to address hard and soft skills together – something existing developers in your team can help build in order to address technical knowledge based on their own experience.

Monitor and optimise performance regularly

Once the ideal candidate is hired, their evaluation won’t stop there; the right KPIs need to be established in order to regularly monitor the quality of their work. If your software development project already has Python developers, these KPIs may already have been established, in which case they can be utilised for your new hire as well.

While KPIs shall delve deep into the technical details surrounding the performance of your Python developer, good working code that is reliable and scalable is a positive indicator of competency. As a result, managers need to do an evaluation from a holistic perspective, so developers are scrutinised in a thorough yet unbiased manner.

In conclusion…

Python is a programming language that is here to stay owing to its high level of versatility and easy syntax. Likewise, the proliferation of Python developers is also going to remain an upward trend, especially as it has paved the way for organisations to adopt intelligent technologies such as machine learning, as well as data science.

Hiring the right Python developer for your project is essential, especially if you intend to conduct any form of data analytics in order to deliver key business decisions that are better informed, and aligned with future trends. While a software outsourcing partner will usually do all the legwork in terms of headhunting and shortlisting candidates, business leaders will be afforded the convenience of directly appearing for candidate interviews.

Before any form of headhunting begins, though, it is imperative for businesses and their software outsourcing partners to establish a set of criteria in order to determine what they need in a Python developer. This way, expectations are met for both parties, while regular performance evaluations can also help determine long-term viability between the developer-project partnership.