IBM Data Science Practice Test

What is the predominant reason data scientists may prefer Python over R?

1. Python is simpler to learn than R

2. Python is primarily statistics focused

3. Python has broader language capabilities compared to R

4. All data scientists exclusively utilize Python

The correct answer is: Python has broader language capabilities compared to R

Data scientists may prefer Python over R primarily due to Python's broader language capabilities. Python is a general-purpose programming language, which means its functionality extends far beyond just statistical analysis. It offers a rich ecosystem of libraries and frameworks not only for data science, such as NumPy, pandas, and Scikit-learn, but also for web development, artificial intelligence, automation, and more. This versatility allows data scientists to integrate data analysis workflows with other applications and systems seamlessly. In contrast, R is primarily designed for statistical analysis and data visualization, making it more specialized in those areas but less flexible for tasks outside of them. While R has excellent packages for statistical computing, if a data scientist needs to perform tasks beyond statistical analysis—like building web applications or integrating with various APIs—Python provides the tools to do so without needing to switch languages. The other choices do not capture the primary reason for the preference accurately. Saying that Python is simpler to learn than R can be subjective and relies on the individual's programming background. The statement about Python being primarily statistics-focused is inaccurate, as Python supports various programming paradigms and applications. Lastly, the assertion that all data scientists exclusively utilize Python is unfounded, as many data scientists use both languages for different purposes based on