dynamic typing question
Cameron Laird
claird at lairds.com
Fri Dec 26 10:04:05 EST 2003
In article <mailman.355.1071850867.9307.python-list at python.org>,
Jason Tesser <JTesser at nbbc.edu> wrote:
>I work for at a college where I am one of 2 full-time developers and we
>are looking to program a new
>software package fro the campus. This is a huge project as it will
>include everything from registration to
>business office. We are considering useing Java or Python. I for one
>don't like Java because I feel the
>GUI is clunky. I also think that we could produce quality programs
>faster in Python.
.
.
.
>OK what are your guys thoughts here? How have you all overcome the lack
>of static typing? Is Python a
>bad decision here? By the way we will be using Postgres in the back if
>that matters to anyone.
>
Along with everything others have already written--that
you want to focus on test-driven development, that Python
is a proven success in Serious Applications, and so on--
your description raises a few concerns in my mind:
1. Why, in your mind or your teammate's,
is dynamic typing a "lack"? What, pre-
cisely, is the benefit of static typing?
There are a number of legitimate
answers. It occurs to me that, without
precision on which interest you, we
might be missing an opportunity to
clarify "The Python Way" significantly.
2. Most application-level Python code
doesn't--and shouldn't!--employ dynamic
typing in any material way. Does that
help?
3. Postgres is good stuff. Its support for
Python has improved quite a bit over the
past few years.
4. My instinct tells me that, yes, you can
produce quality results quicker with Py-
thon.
5. In writing, "the GUI is clunky" about
Java, what do you mean? Are you refer-
ring to a particular IDE, or a specific
GUI toolkit? Java has several of each;
perhaps alternatives would suit you
better.
6. Are there alternatives to having the
two of you write a "package" from
scratch? A LOT of software for college
administration has been written already;
is none of it appropriate for your situ-
ation?
--
Cameron Laird <claird at phaseit.net>
Business: http://www.Phaseit.net
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