[Python-Dev] Looking for master thesis ideas involving Python

[Brett C.]

Delaney, Timothy C (Timothy) wrote:

>> From: Dennis Allison [mailto:allison at sumeru.stanford.EDU]
>> 
>> How about re-engineering the interpreter to make it more MP
>> friendly? (This is probably a bigger task than a Masters thesis.)
>> The current interpreter serializes on the global interpreter lock
>> (GIL) and blocks everything.
> 
> 
> To me this would probably be the most interesting thing to tackle -
> especially since it has been tried before with partial success but
> overall failure. At the very least that gives a body of work which
> you can refer to both as a starting point for your work, and to show
> how your approach differs from and improves on existing work.
> 
> It would also be of tremendous value to Python IMO if it could be
> done without negatively impacting performance on single-processor
> machines.
> 
> Whether it is too large for a Masters thesis I don't know. Does a
> Masters thesis require *success* in the stated goal? I've been
> thinking about doing my own Masters in the not-too-distant future if
> I can find the time ...
> 


Success as in what you set out to do was actually beneficial?  No, just 
as long as something is learned.  Successful as actually finishing the 
darn thing?  Yes.  Basically a masters thesis needs to require some 
research, such as looking at other implementations, and some original 
thought if possible.  The problem with a masters thesis, though, is that 
I have a fixed timeframe (want this done in about a year's time for 
doctoral school applications) and I don't get to spend a large portion 
of my time on it (I still have to take normal classes during this time, 
although I can fenagle my schedule to minimize my work load).

I will still consider this, though.

-Brett