[Python-checkins] PEP 374 addenda

[Brett Cannon]

[in the future, Raymond, can you send these to python-dev? I don't
think python-checkins is the right place to have over-arching
discussions about stuff]

On Sat, Jan 24, 2009 at 15:47, Raymond Hettinger <python at rcn.com> wrote:
> You're added space/time measurements to the PEP.
> I think you ought to add another more subjective
> measurement for each system.  How long did it take
> you to learn the new commands and ways of working
> with the system.  How long did it take to get it configured
> and working on your system?  What would be the impact
> on your life as a developer if you had to switchover?
>
> Talking about the Python language itself, we often make the
> point that developer time is far more important than saving
> a few clock cycles on a computer.
> The real impact of a switchover is the learning curve and
> configuration time multiplied by the number of developers.
>

My impressions are not done yet. If you look at what I checked in
earlier today you will notice I discuss how long it took to figure
stuff out, etc. I am keeping it simple for now but I will discuss
subjective things in more detail at a larger context when I come
closer to reaching a conclusion.

> Also, how many developers or casual contributors will we
> lose because they simply aren't willing to bear the transition costs?

That's an unmeasurable number short of seeing how large of an outcry
there is against something. And since I have not even made a case for
one DVCS over another it isn't worth worrying about this number quite
yet.

-Brett