Carl Banks wrote: > On Feb 23, 6:40 am, Jeff Schwab <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> Recently, I've had a few replies in tones that imply I'm on the brink of >> entering several kill-files, mostly because I express disagreement with >> a few closely held beliefs of some other c.l.p posters. > > A bit of advice: > > Python and C++ have almost no common ground in terms of what the > priorties of the language are.
Producing software of measurable quality. Increasing developer productivity. Providing in-language support for formal design and development processes. I think the languages approach the same high-level goals, just from very different angles. > So, if you're a big proponent of the > language features of C++, you really ought to expect lots of > disagreement over just about anything you opine. > > P.S. I've had much sharper disagreements with some Pythonistas over > aspects of Python. None of them are in my killfile. Good to know. :) >> One of the things that's supposed to be great about Python is the user >> community, and in many ways, that community is wonderful; for example, >> both new and experienced users can quickly get a variety of solutions to >> any given coding issue, just by asking for help. > > They say that about every small language community. I'm not sure Python qualifies as a small community anymore. Language-based communities that continue to support free thought and open conversation over time are much more rare. The worst case scenario is (apologies in advance) the Lisp-style consensus: This language is just the best tool for every job, period. >> In other ways, though, the Python community is just blindingly ignorant, >> arrogant, and argumentative. > > You're not exactly riding the humble bus there yourself, chief. > Saying things like (in so many words), "I'm just here because C++ > doesn't have good runtime libraries", doesn't come off too well. That's not how I feel, and I never meant to imply anything like it. Things I like about Python: - No separate compilation step during development - Emphasis on design-for-test - Extensibility from other languages - Clean syntax - Portability - Mainstream use and support - Excellent documentation - Large standard library - Progress by design, rather than ad hoc "improvements" - Design decisions value "useful" over "neat-o" - Support for data-as-code (or code-as-data) >> and I am starting to become >> really concerned about the clarity of mind of the Python community, >> because I hope to rely on it. > > I think your expectations for the Python community are unreasonable. Maybe. > My advice to you, if you want a good relationship with the Python > community, would be to keep the comparisons with C++ out of it as much > as possible. Understand that a lot--a lot--of people are going to say > bad things about C++ and various features that C++ implements. If you > try to defend C++ every time that happens, you won't last long here. Thanks. I do value my sanity, and would like to preserve what's left of it. -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
