Why I push for Python
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Why I push for Python
1–10 of 129 posts
Re: Why I push for Python
#2I'm a huge Python fan (90% of my code is Python, work and private), but I don't think any more it's still the language to push. I have not much experience but it seems Go, Ruby, and Scratch seem to be the one's people should be heading towards (which one depends on the level of skill required). But it's really just my feeling, I have no data to proof it.
Re: Why I push for Python
#3[deleted]
Re: Why I push for Python
#4I'm a huge Python fan (90% of my code is Python, work and private), but I don't think any more it's still the language to push. I have not much experience but it seems Go, Ruby, and Scratch seem to be the one's people should be heading towards (which one depends on the level of skill required). But it's really just my feeling, I have no data to proof it.
Interesting examples you mentioned.
Go, I can understand. But why Ruby? It is just as old as Python, behaves very similarly, and its ecosystem for non-web related tasks pales in comparison. And why Scratch? I really enjoy it (I've taught many workshops to kids 6-14 yo with it) but I would absolutely not use it in anything else but introductory classes.
Re: Why I push for Python
#5Pushing for Python by comparing it to Java is a first step. But if you really want to do the right choice for all those students, you'd better compare it to other good languages. For instance I'm thinking of Haskell.
Imagine that post being about PHP vs. assembly and thus pushing PHP, or about Java vs assembly and thus pushing Java, or...
Re: Why I push for Python
#6I'm a huge Python fan (90% of my code is Python, work and private), but I don't think any more it's still the language to push. I have not much experience but it seems Go, Ruby, and Scratch seem to be the one's people should be heading towards (which one depends on the level of skill required). But it's really just my feeling, I have no data to proof it.
I'd have to agree, Go is suited to more intermediate level students and Scratch for extreme beginners and younger children, but Ruby? Ruby is like a harder to read, slower, less used python. Once rails falls(and it is falling) ruby will become a niche language.
Re: Why I push for Python
#7starting with python is ok as long as theres a C class following.
At various work places ive been to, the vast majority of coders know python or ruby or similar languages. They have NO CLUE how the memory is allocated, why some things in python are slower, etc. At some point they go 'its python runtime overhead'. But most of the time they could make the program much faster just by using better data structures in python. Most of the time they don't understand why something doesnt work the way they want and basically pray to get a premade answer on stackoverflow. While they could figure it out much faster by understanding how their machine works.
C has the advantage of being close enough to what the OS does (heck even C isnt always that close with compiler optimizations but - ok). Forces you to understand how the kernel works, how the CPU works, etc. Makes you a better python programmer too.
Re: Why I push for Python
#8One could argue that the defining feature of the Python community and language is the focus on readability and ease of comprehension.
This is why Python wins. It has lower cognitive overhead, and the ecosystem is otherwise good enough to build complex projects.
Though I do wish Guido went with a variable declaration keyword in the beginning. The global/nonlocal stuff sticks out like a sore thumb.
Re: Why I push for Python
#9I'm a huge Python fan (90% of my code is Python, work and private), but I don't think any more it's still the language to push. I have not much experience but it seems Go, Ruby, and Scratch seem to be the one's people should be heading towards (which one depends on the level of skill required). But it's really just my feeling, I have no data to proof it.
I'd have to agree, Go is suited to more intermediate level students and Scratch for extreme beginners and younger children, but Ruby? Ruby is like a harder to read, slower, less used python. Once rails falls(and it is falling) ruby will become a niche language.
I haven't been following the ruby/rails community much. In what way is rails falling?
Re: Why I push for Python
#10If you want to teach students to deal with inconsistent syntax and slow runtimes then Python is a good choice.