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Ask HN: Is Python dying?

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Re: Ask HN: Is Python dying?

#71

Post by mindcrime »

COBOL and FORTRAN aren't dead, and you think Python is going to die anytime soon? I don't see it. For the most part, technologies never really "die" per-se.

Now as to the question of what stack to invest in from a career standpoint... my guess is that Python would still give you a very good ROI. Look how popular it is in the machine learning / data science world, for example. I'd bet there will be more jobs for Python coders than for Julia coders for at least another 5 or 10 years or more.

But hey, hedge your bets... invest in something for today like Python, but start spending a few cycles here and there on Julia and Go. Flexibility helps in this field. In my 17 some odd years doing this stuff, I've gone from focusing on C++ to mostly Java, then to Python, back to Java, then on to Groovy, and now am using Java, Groovy and Python. But I'm also spending some time on R, as well as Julia, Go, and Rust, just to stay current.

Re: Ask HN: Is Python dying?

#72

Post by noobermin »

jerf wrote: post #63

The word for Python is mature . If fireworks aren't going off with every release, it's because it's past that phase of life. The only concern I have for Python is exactly the temptation to keep adding features and chasing other language's tail lights. I've recently gotten the chance to see a fairly novice programmer dip toes into some Python-based testing code, and it's definitely gotten pretty easy to make awfully m…

>The word for Python is mature

Exactly, one could use the same criteria of the OP and conclude C is "dying", and how wrong they'd be.

Just because it seems like there isn't new and hot stuff for Python doesn't mean it is actively used and sought after today. Perhaps it's strange because Python always seemed like the hot new scripting language thing until it now where it has become the well known scripting language thing it is today

Re: Ask HN: Is Python dying?

#73

Post by ced »

andybak wrote: post #34
tanlermin wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes...but one that is also very fast, portable and with great generic programming.

I had never considered Julia as a general purpose language. I assumed it was targetted mainly at data science etc.

The core language is general purpose, and IMO really good for high-performance work, but the community is focused on numerical code, so there aren't a lot of libraries for non-numerical/scientific/financial work at this point in time.

Re: Ask HN: Is Python dying?

#74

Post by mrdrozdov »

andybak wrote: post #30
dcolgan wrote: post #23

I play around with NodeJS and front end frameworks like React for my own side projects, but all of my paying client work is made with good ol Django. It just does so many things well and is very mature. I recommend for production code using libraries that have a strong community and have been around for a while so that they don't keep changing all the time.

Don't forget that Django and React make a great combination. You probably still want Django to handle server-side rendering for most of your site (unless you're a masochist). Django Rest Framework for the API, and React (or whatever) to handle the app-like parts.

Why not render client-side?

Re: Ask HN: Is Python dying?

#75

Post by zanny »

I, for one, look forward to the day I have Python in my frontend.

Browser support for ! Viva la revolution!

I would need so much less migraine medicine that the pharma industry would lobby against it.

Re: Ask HN: Is Python dying?

#77

Post by mrdrozdov »

First there was Perl. Now there's Python. Until there's another powerful scripting language that starts with a P, I think Python is going to be safe. That being said, rumor is that Perl is back on the rise...

Re: Ask HN: Is Python dying?

#78

Post by mixedCase »

Python is very strong in data analysis, as strong as ever in DevOps, and it's very versatile to always see it show up in other areas.

Most of our Python use is for cross-platform mobile development with Kivy and we're happy with it so far. Certainly happier than having to deal with Java and the disgustingly horrendous Android SDK.

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