The Industry choice

[Steve Holden]

Cameron Laird wrote:

> In article <1104511661.928284.10200 at z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com>,
>  <beliavsky at aol.com> wrote:
> 
>>Bulba wrote:
>>
>>>OK, so what projects and why would you consider
>>>Python:
>>>1. "clearly unsuitable"
>>
>>Large-scale scientific computing projects, such as numerical weather
>>prediction, where performance is critical. Python could be used as the
>>"glue" but not the "guts", where Fortran 95 and C++ are more
>>appropriate. In my tests, some posted here, there has been a
> 
> 			.
> 			.
> 			.
> I feel like growling that it's clearly a mistake for large-scale
> scientific computing projects not to leverage dynamic languages,
> at least in part.  Yes, I've seen projects that would have been
> disasters if done entirely in Python.  I've also seen many, many
> large-scale scientific projects that soaked up far more resources
> than they should have because they limited themselves to C++ or
> Fortran.
> 
> I argue that it's a false opposition to categorize projects in
> terms of use of single languages.  Many projects are MUCH better
> off with a mix of Python and Fortran, say (and probably SQL and
> JavaScript and ...), and it's pernicious to accomodate the 
> managerial conceit that One Language will suffice.

Indeed it's sensible to choose language based on the nature of the task 
to be performed, to avoid "language-blindness" and to build systems in 
mixed languages.

Unfortunately the hierarchy of power in most modern commercial and 
academic organizations is such that large-scale efforts will be 
nominally run by single individuals, and since those individuals 
typically can dispense favors and determine who advances within the 
organization it's often unwise *not* to accommodate the managerial 
conceit it career advancement is one's primary goal.

which-is-why-i-run-my-own-business-ly y'rs  -  steve
-- 
Steve Holden               http://www.holdenweb.com/
Python Web Programming  http://pydish.holdenweb.com/
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