Python on the desktop

[dsavitsk]

why does everyone who is new to python, especially those with an "industrial
strength C++ application development background" feel the need to (a) make
quick observations, and (b) use the collective "we" in these observations?
I agree with Tim that the goal of a language is "to _be_ useful where it
_can_ be useful."  For me, Python is useful almost everywhere -- more useful
than C++ at any rate :-)

Perhaps, if shipping compiled Python applications in a commercil setting is
not Python's strongest suit, it is time to change the paradigm that the user
must have the source hidden from them. Charge for your programming time
up-front, and factor in support and upgrades. Then the user has the
incentive to make small changes, but to leave the major reworking of the
application to the author -- it is simply innefecient to rework a large
application when the author is maintaining it and is not trying to make
billions off of it, and it is easier to tell a client to open up notepad and
change the 423rd line from 'x += 2' to x += 3' than to rewrite, recompile,
and reship.  Most people buying software are doing so to use it, not to
rewrite it and resell it.

Further, having open Python source adds value to a customer for the ease
that they can extend the software if they are so inclined. I, as well as
writing COM objects in Python, tend to "write" interfaces in VB.  The only
reason i would ever compile and install a VB app is that it is too expensive
to install the VB IDE on every computer.

As a side note, I, for one, would feel silly writing a program using free,
open-source tools and then shipping it with the intent of keeping the source
closed.

This is not to bitch, it is always nice when new people use Python.  It is
also nice to hear what they have to say -- good or bad.  I feel, however,
like we have heard the lack-of-compiler, lack-of-gui, and
does-it-really-work-for-large-projects? issues before.

As I say, Python is useful for both the way I like to write and distribute
applications. It seems odd to change the nature of the language, arguably
what is good about the language, in order that it behave more like C++.

cheers,

-d

"Sarat Venugopal" <sarat_venugopal at yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:94e3fce8.0112210053.2568529d at posting.google.com...
> Hi all,
>    I am fairly new to Python, in the sense that I haven't written
> anything substantial in it, although I have gone through all the major
> books so far. Coming from a strong, industrial strength C++
> application development background, let me make some quick
> observations. Needless to say, I am quite fascinated with the language
> primarily beacause of the strong emphasis on readability and
> maintainability of the code(Indentation, namespaces and the works). I
> guess if speed is the only issue, Python should suffice for a number
> of applications.
>
>  1. If python is to permeate the realm of commercial desktop (in
> whatever scope), we need the ability to convert it into a native
> executable(I have taken a look at some of the limited solutions
> available from individuals). I read somewhere, it may never be
> possible in Python. Can anyone throw light on this?
>  Most commercial applications wouldn't want to expose the source code
> or even leave it as byte-code(Note: ActiveState has announced a
> compiler for Perl)
>
>  2. Absence of a standard GUI, which really fits the major platforms.
> For a lanuage like Python, this is really a handicap. Would I do it in
> Tkinter on Windows? No way. I guess that's why there are so many other
> independent implementations out there. There is so much fragmentation
> of effort here(Analogous to KDE, GNOME,...on Linux).
>
>  3. Does the community see Python as a full-fledged programming
> language? I remember Zope being projected as the killer app for
> Python. Does that mean Python is going to hide behind web servers, be
> yet another general/web scripting language and probably a rapid
> prototyping tool? I guess the language deserves a better treatment.
>
>  What do you people think?
>
> Cheers,
> Sarat
>
> "Merry Christmas!"