distributed computing - recommendations please

[Cameron Laird]

In article <mailman.1041313024.15157.python-list at python.org>,
Tim Churches  <tchur at optushome.com.au> wrote:
>> Tony Dunn <tdunn at lynxxsolutions.com> wrote:
>> 
>> I just took over as DBA for a marketing group in a large finance
>> firm.
>> 
>> I have been given a tremendous amount of flexibility in terms of
>> technology
>> choices and I'm trying to ease Python into the mix.  I've been using
>> Python
>> for a couple years for data loading and transformations, but I'd like
>> to
>> broaden that role in this new gig...so,
>> 
>> Given I'll have to interface with ASP and VB on the front end (sadly,
>> removing Windows from the mix is *not* an option), what is the best
>> way to
>> run Python in a distributed fashion in handling all the business
>> logic. I've
>> been reading up on XML-RPC, DCOM/COM+ and SOAP, but I'm not sure
>> what's best
>> suited for what I want to do.  I've written in-process COM servers on
>> several occasions and have had great success, but I'm not sure how to
>> distribute them (or if it even makes sense...)
>> 
>> If you've got some practical experience in this area, I would deeply
>> value
>> and appreciate your opinion!
>
>Have a close look at PyRO - we have been using it to leverage multiple, 
>otherwise idle Windows 2000 workstations here on our LAN. It seems to work 
>well and it is almost transparent - it is much easier to write distributed 
>applications with it than XML-RPC, SOAP etc. 
>
>See http://pyro.sourceforge.net/
>
>Also see David Mertz' article on PyRO at 
>http://gnosis.cx/publish/programming/dc2.pdf
>
>Tim C
>

yami and PyRO are indeed far easier to write than SOAP,
CORBA, DCOM, all the Java-based alternatives, or most
other other solutions.  PyRO in particular deserves
your attention, if only because of what's been written
about it.

Do NOT choose DCOM.  Microsoft has established that it's
pulling support for DCOM, in some sense it will of
course make clear when it suits the company. 

The topic of distributed computing frameworks is highly
politicized.  I personally favor tuple-space implemen-
tations, but commercial practice has little sympathy 
for them.

If you truly need relatively transparent VB access,
CORBA and SOAP might be easiest overall.  Python
programs well with either of these.
-- 

Cameron Laird <Cameron at Lairds.com>
Business:  http://www.Phaseit.net
Personal:  http://phaseit.net/claird/home.html