Why Astronomers Love Python [video]
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Why Astronomers Love Python [video]
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Re: Why Astronomers Love Python [video]
#2Astronomers are, for the most part, terrible programmers. This is true of the general population too, but unfortunately almost every astronomer has to actually write programs. Python and co. are probably more of a help than a hindrance as it replaces things like old-school Fortran, IDL, gnuplot and Matlab. Clever groups are starting to wise up to this and have dedicated programmers supporting astronomers, rather than assuming that the computer is just a glorified calculator that everyone needs to be able to use.
For the record I am a numerical astrophysicist and I read and write plenty of bad code every day.
Re: Why Astronomers Love Python [video]
#3Astronomers are, for the most part, terrible programmers. This is true of the general population too, but unfortunately almost every astronomer has to actually write programs. Python and co. are probably more of a help than a hindrance as it replaces things like old-school Fortran, IDL, gnuplot and Matlab. Clever groups are starting to wise up to this and have dedicated programmers supporting astronomers, rather than…
My understanding is that within the scientific/academic community that taking time to write good code is considered to be a black mark as you are "wasting time" which could be better spent on your main project.
So writing bad code every day, means you are serious about your main line of work!
Can't say I agree with this sentiment, but it is slowly changing.
Re: Why Astronomers Love Python [video]
#4Astronomers are, for the most part, terrible programmers. This is true of the general population too, but unfortunately almost every astronomer has to actually write programs. Python and co. are probably more of a help than a hindrance as it replaces things like old-school Fortran, IDL, gnuplot and Matlab. Clever groups are starting to wise up to this and have dedicated programmers supporting astronomers, rather than…
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Re: Why Astronomers Love Python [video]
#5Astronomers are, for the most part, terrible programmers. This is true of the general population too, but unfortunately almost every astronomer has to actually write programs. Python and co. are probably more of a help than a hindrance as it replaces things like old-school Fortran, IDL, gnuplot and Matlab. Clever groups are starting to wise up to this and have dedicated programmers supporting astronomers, rather than…
I don't exactly agree with this. As a scientist myself, the term "terrible programmer" is a little bit harsh.
Scientists (and the general population) are not professional programmers. If the need arises, they hire one. Scientists usually need to jot down a prototype and a model in order to see if their theory works.
It's like comparing a physician with a prepper. A prepper might know how to use some first-aid methods and tools, but is not expected to act as a trauma surgeon or emergency doctor. She has just the right knowledge for the task in hand. Yeah, Python might simply be Hansaplast in this case, but who cares if you are alone? :p
Re: Why Astronomers Love Python [video]
#6inb4
from astronomy import find_planet
Re: Why Astronomers Love Python [video]
#7[deleted]
Re: Why Astronomers Love Python [video]
#8Astronomers are, for the most part, terrible programmers. This is true of the general population too, but unfortunately almost every astronomer has to actually write programs. Python and co. are probably more of a help than a hindrance as it replaces things like old-school Fortran, IDL, gnuplot and Matlab. Clever groups are starting to wise up to this and have dedicated programmers supporting astronomers, rather than…
Things are changing, slowly but surely. Those of you interested in this sort of work should check out http://rse.ac.uk/, and also https://software-carpentry.org/ (Run a workshop! Improve the software environment around you!)
Re: Why Astronomers Love Python [video]
#9Astronomers are, for the most part, terrible programmers. This is true of the general population too, but unfortunately almost every astronomer has to actually write programs. Python and co. are probably more of a help than a hindrance as it replaces things like old-school Fortran, IDL, gnuplot and Matlab. Clever groups are starting to wise up to this and have dedicated programmers supporting astronomers, rather than…
My understanding is that within the scientific/academic community that taking time to write good code is considered to be a black mark as you are "wasting time" which could be better spent on your main project. So writing bad code every day, means you are serious about your main line of work! Can't say I agree with this sentiment, but it is slowly changing.
One problem is that to measure a scientist's output, one typically uses their citation count, and people tend to not cite software (there are exceptions), and software based on other software does not transitively pass on those citations.
Re: Why Astronomers Love Python [video]
#10Astronomers are, for the most part, terrible programmers. This is true of the general population too, but unfortunately almost every astronomer has to actually write programs. Python and co. are probably more of a help than a hindrance as it replaces things like old-school Fortran, IDL, gnuplot and Matlab. Clever groups are starting to wise up to this and have dedicated programmers supporting astronomers, rather than…
I had to collaborate with some distinguished middle-aged scientists, and Fortran is what they spoke. And given how 'terrible' the code was, I developed great respect for their intellect - how they were able to get such results out of their tangles. (The moral of that story is: do not keep your intellectual property only in code)
'terrible' is the word we use, but they were not professional programmers (and had zero interest in the craft) So fit-for-purpose maybe, 'unstructured' but not 'terrible'.