[Edu-sig] re: Python Briefing for Faculty

Fri, 11 May 2001 00:20:23 EDT

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Kirby writes

>In IDLE, I can assign variables and they persist, as do referencesto 
whatever >imported stuff.  As I do this and that interactively, I make use of 
these references  >-- I'm sitting in a pile of tools and they all stay 
defined from one command to the >next (plus Icreate new ones at will).  

I am and am not following you.  Certainly I agree with you as to the 
importance
of interactive mode, especially when configured for learning.  

Probably what attracted me most about Python initially was the  clean and 
accessible interactive mode, where I could experiment and get my bearings.

But my own work habits now are a text editor I had gotten accustomed to 
pre-IDLE, and IDLE  for interactive mode - often open simultaneously.
Never really gave IDLE a chance as my primary editor.  Mostly just inertia . 
But I do see in it the design elegance I admire in Python, and love that its
all just Python being Python.  

Based on my reading good code to learn coding theory, had spent some time  
with the IDLE code some time back trying to follow it best I could.  Actually 
got a
lot out of it.  Biggest challenge at that stage for me was sorting out what 
was
Tkinter specific and what was general Python. 

Have not used scintilla itself, but a quick look at the page indicates it to 
be a
programmers editor.  So I wouldn't expect it to have anything to do with 
interactive mode Python.

Which of course is always available to you through IDLE, even with scintilla, 
etc. open and in use.

Anyway, think you should see my point as to why I don't fully see what you 
are driving at.

ART

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<HTML>Kirby writes
 
 &gt;In IDLE, I can assign variables and they persist, as do referencesto 
 whatever &gt;imported stuff. &nbsp;As I do this and that interactively, I make use of 
 these references &nbsp;&gt;-- I'm sitting in a pile of tools and they all stay 
 defined from one command to the &gt;next (plus Icreate new ones at will). &nbsp;
 
 I am and am not following you. &nbsp;Certainly I agree with you as to the 
 importance
 of interactive mode, especially when configured for learning. &nbsp;
 
 Probably what attracted me most about Python initially was the &nbsp;clean and 
 accessible interactive mode, where I could experiment and get my bearings.
 
 But my own work habits now are a text editor I had gotten accustomed to 
 pre-IDLE, and IDLE &nbsp;for interactive mode - often open simultaneously.
 Never really gave IDLE a chance as my primary editor. &nbsp;Mostly just inertia . 
 But I do see in it the design elegance I admire in Python, and love that its
 all just Python being Python. &nbsp;
 
 Based on my reading good code to learn coding theory, had spent some time &nbsp;
 with the IDLE code some time back trying to follow it best I could. &nbsp;Actually 
 got a
 lot out of it. &nbsp;Biggest challenge at that stage for me was sorting out what 
 was
 Tkinter specific and what was general Python. 
 
 Have not used scintilla itself, but a quick look at the page indicates it to 
 be a
 programmers editor. &nbsp;So I wouldn't expect it to have anything to do with 
 interactive mode Python.
 
 Which of course is always available to you through IDLE, even with scintilla, 
 etc. open and in use.
 
 Anyway, think you should see my point as to why I don't fully see what you 
 are driving at.
 
 ART
 </HTML>

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