Slices of Py
Bits from the world of the Python programming language.


Subscribe to "Slices of Py" in Radio UserLand.

Click to see the XML version of this web page.

Click here to send an email to the editor of this weblog.


Sunday, May 11, 2003
 

Coding Bloggers: Please add more code snippets to your weblog.

I've been thinking this weekend about Visualization as a Software smith.  I don't think the motivational techniques given to golfers and speech givers applies to most things "writing." This thought led me to think that the times I've seen code and language comparisons in weblogs have stuck out as much as graphics, and delivery with an added educational value.  Phil has some excellent examples of language comparison [1], [2]. Uche's Charming Jython article isn't a blog entry but chock-full of good snippets.


8:15:00 PM    

1. Teaching with Python materials page from Wartburg College:

"At Wartburg College we have been using Python extensively in our curriculm since 1998. We have found it to be a near-ideal first language and a useful tool throughout the curriculum."

This came via a long discussion over Python as a first-year programming language.

"Python is hardly weird.  It's rather straightforward and conservative, which
is one of the things people like about it.  An agile language, high level and
object oriented.  Weirder (but still fine languages, worthy of study) would
be Haskell, Ocaml, Rebol and J.  Yet weird languages *are* used in the
business community.  J for example:  lots of Wall Street types use it for
financial analysis, along with it's older brother, APL." - Kirby Urner

2. A great Tim Peter's quote sig'd by Aahz. [link]

"In many ways, it's a dull language, borrowing solid old concepts from
many other languages & styles:  boring syntax, unsurprising semantics,
few automatic coercions, etc etc.  But that's one of the things I like
about it."  --Tim Peters on Python, 16 Sep 93

3. Notes from Alan Kay's talk at the emerging Technology Conference.  Wonder how it'll be different than his keynote at NECC.

Personal note: The education facet of Python is one of the key factors which initially drew me to the language.  I'm very happy it's very different than Pascal, and I hope it has come out from under any industry ripples from the history of Pascal as an educational and "real" programming language.


7:32:48 PM    


Click here to visit the Radio UserLand website. © Copyright 2003 Dean Goodmanson.
Last update: 7/11/2003; 12:20:10 PM.
May 2003
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
        1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Apr   Jun