C++ bad-mouthing (was: Why learn Python ??)

[Peter Hansen]

Donn Cave wrote:
> 
> Python has the advantage of a clean start, but
> from a software engineering standpoint it really seems like a
> hacker language.  

Ohh.... nice controversial statement. :-)

I would strongly disagree with the above statement for a number
of reasons, including (random thoughts):

 - packages
 - interactive interpreter
 - no static typing
 - high productivity
 - ease of testing
 - flexibility
 - extremely broad library support
 - low learning curve

and probably a dozen others.  I think this has all been discussed before,
though, so I won't belabour the point.  Basically, as a software engineer
(nominally a "Systems Design Engineer") I find Python to be hands down 
*the* best language I've encountered for use in serious work.  I can't
actually think of another which excels on so many fronts.

-Peter