# Why Python Is Still King of Data Engineering in 2026

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-programming-languages-podcast-with-fexingo-python-rust-javascript-and-modern-coding-7872026/why-python-is-still-king-of-data-engineering-in-2026
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-programming-languages-podcast-with-fexingo-python-rust-javascript-and-modern-coding-7872026/why-python-is-still-king-of-data-engineering-in-2026.md
Podcast: [The Programming Languages Podcast with Fexingo: Python, Rust, JavaScript, and Modern Coding](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-programming-languages-podcast-with-fexingo-python-rust-javascript-and-modern-coding-7872026)
Published: 2026-07-02T10:10:01+00:00
Episode link: https://audio.fexingo.com/business/the-programming-languages-podcast/episode-0086.mp3
Audio file: https://audio.fexingo.com/business/the-programming-languages-podcast/episode-0086.mp3
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Duration seconds: 543

## Resource

In this episode, Lucas and Luna dive into why Python remains the undisputed leader in data engineering, even as newer languages like Rust and Go gain traction. They explore the rise of Apache Arrow, the impact of Polars as a Pandas alternative, and how Python's ecosystem around PySpark and Airflow keeps it dominant. With specific benchmarks and real-world examples from companies like Meta and Netflix, they make the case that Python's flexibility and library support are unmatched for ETL pipelines and data orchestration. They also touch on the growing role of Python in streaming data and the challenges of memory management at scale. Whether you're a seasoned data engineer or just curious about the tech stack, this episode offers concrete insights into why Python isn't going anywhere. #Python #DataEngineering #ApacheArrow #Polars #ETL #PySpark #Airflow #StreamingData #MemoryManagement #DataPipelines #Technology #Podcast #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #ProgrammingLanguages #TechStack #BigData #DataScience Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

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## Transcript

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