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Top 10 reasons for Python

Top 10 reasons for Python

Quoting from a big PowerPoint presentation. Great read! I downloaded the PPT file 2 days ago, and can't remember where in Bruce's site it was originally located. Note the last part about Perl!

Top 10 reasons for programming in Python

10. Reduced Clutter

• Programs are read more than they are written
• XP: Consistent formatting really is important
• Readability and compactness
• Part of "conservation of complexity"
• Consistent use of programming idioms improves understandability
• Rapid understanding
• The opposite of "more than one way to do it"

9. It's not backward-compatible in exchange for pain

• C++: Backward compatible with C - its strength and its bane
• Java: more or less with C++ syntax (not too bad,but a lot of typing)
• Perl: compatible with every hacky syntax of every Unix tool ever invented
• C# and .NET: backward compatible with previous Microsoft marketing campaigns
• Javascript: not even compatible with itself

8. It doesn't value performance over my productivity

• C++: can't let go of C performance
• Better than C, sure, but still takes forever to get something working; memory leaks are almost impossible to design out
• Java: Primitive types require awkward coding (primitives "necessary" for speed)
• As opposed to Python: everything is an object; escape mechanism (extension) for speed

7. It doesn't treat me like I'm stupid

• "Operator overloading is bad because you can make ugly code with it"
• "finalize( ) does something"
• "We reviewed Java designs before putting them into the language"
• "Java has an open development process"

6. I don't wait forever for a full implementation of the language

• Some features we invented in the C++ committee are still not implemented
• Unused features don't get tested; circular problem
• Many C++ vendors say "it's hard, andno one's asking for it."

5. It doesn't make assumptions about how we discover errors

• Is strong static type checking really the only way to be sure?
• Lack of good static typing in pre-ANSI C was certainly heaps of trouble
• Doesn't mean it's the best solution
• Errors discovered with real data seem to me to be the hardest to find

4. Marketing people are not involved

• "Java is flawless"
• Microsoft "Visual" "C++" - Microsoft happens
• Of course, Python isn't immune

3. I don't have to type so much

• … And I don't have to wade through so much code when I'm reading
• Conservation of complexity:simplicity really does make a difference
• But the right typing
• Not obscure like APL
• Not endlessly inventive like Perl or FORTH

2. My guesses are usually right

• I still have to look up how to open a file every time I do it in Java
• In fact, most things in Java require me to look something up
• I can remember many Python idioms because they're simpler
• One more reason I program faster

1. Python lets me focus on concepts

• No stumbling through Java designs, fighting with C++ compilations or run-time bugs.

About Perl

• Python is executable pseudocode. Perl is executable line noise.
• Perl is like vice grips. You can do anything with it, and it's the wrong tool for every job - Leaves teeth marks everywhere
• Perl is worse than Python because people wanted it worse. Larry Wall, 14 Oct 1998
• I would actively encourage my competition to use Perl. Sean True, 30 Mar 1999