Python -- (just) a successful experiment?

[Paul Rubin]

"Kay Schluehr" <kay.schluehr at gmx.net> writes:
> > Having a good FFI is certainly an important feature but Python
> > programs should first and foremost be Python programs.
> 
> Python was originally created as an extension language for C. In some
> sense it is an abstraction layer for C libs.

I'd have to respond: that was then, this is now.  As Python has gotten
more powerful, that C extension feature has gotten less central.  That
is to say, the language is growing up, and unwillingness to recognize
that is in some places stunting Python's growth.

> Did you ever check out ctypes? I appreciate it very much.
> 
> http://starship.python.net/crew/theller/ctypes/

I think I did see something about it before.  I should check it out
further.  But mainly I want my Python programs to be Python programs,
not wrappers for C programs.  And frankly I'm more comfortable with
something like SWIG, which turns the C functions into actual Python
modules rather than exposing naked C functions to Python code
(destroying Python's type safety).