[Pythonmac-SIG] Re: anybody doing GUI development with Python

[Daniel Lord]

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On Saturday, June 16, 2001, at 03:27 AM, tom smith wrote:
>
> If python was really as good as we all think it is, someone would have
> written RealBasic like tool in python. RealPython? PythonCard? ...and it
> would run on OS9, X, Windows and Linux....

One syntax flaw is the use of whitespace to designate block structure. 
It not only creates problems between editors on the same platform with 
tab and space conversion/substituion issues, but because of the 
different line-ending schemes on different platforms, it hampers 
portability of the source. It has been a cross-platform thorn in my side 
with Python. what was so wrong with braces anyway?

I think has potential to be that good, but most people are using it for 
scripting and not a full-fledged rapid application prototyping tool. In 
addition, Perl has much more momentum so many talented people who could 
create the critical  mass to take Python forward are busy shoring up 
Perl. Perl is simply too parochial and internally inconsistent for 
occasional users--you have to use it almost exclusively as your 
scripting language to learn and remember all its quirks and to tap into 
its incredible power. No offense Perl officianados--don't flame me for 
having a preference--I just feel it just arcane, complex, idiosyncratic 
for non-professionals. It is like setting up a table saw to cut a stick 
in my opinion. That is where RealBasic starts to look good although I 
think it is very pricey when compared to other tools.  I am not a 
professional so it seems expensive for home/student/non-profit use.

I strongly desire to create a "RealPython", but, while the spirit is 
willing, the skill is weak. If only for the Mac, Carbon could be used. 
If Windows and Linux support is required, Jython and Java could be used. 
I believe a Java framework could be created that would provide something 
close to RealBasic, but of course the Devil is in the details isn't he?

RealBasic has appeal, but I believe it  lacks of the lower-level power 
and syntax sophistication to repelae Python, Jython, and Java in my 
tools box. Although I wish it could. Maybe the developers of RealBasic 
will  take this on? They might even pull it off although they would 
undoubtedly charge too much for it ;-).

> ..and it would have jam on it.
>
> Yet if your only tool is a hammer, every problem ends up looking like a
> nail.

Yes, one of my favorite phrases which is often useful in technology time 
and time again--that says something about the maturity and flexibility 
of the current development tools doesn't it? Apple could have made 
easier on us if they had provided greater Unix interoperability 
including X Server support (one of my peeves wiht OSX is that one).

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On Saturday, June 16, 2001, at 03:27 AM, tom smith wrote:

<excerpt>

If python was really as good as we all think it is, someone would have

written RealBasic like tool in python. RealPython? PythonCard? ...and
it

would run on OS9, X, Windows and Linux....

</excerpt>

One syntax flaw is the use of whitespace to designate block structure.
It not only creates problems between editors on the same platform with
tab and space conversion/substituion issues, but because of the
different line-ending schemes on different platforms, it hampers
portability of the source. It has been a cross-platform thorn in my
side with Python. what was so wrong with braces anyway?


I think has potential to be that good, but most people are using it
for scripting and not a full-fledged rapid application prototyping
tool. In addition, Perl has much more momentum so many talented people
who could create the critical  mass to take Python forward are busy
shoring up Perl. Perl is simply too parochial and internally
inconsistent for occasional users--you have to use it almost
exclusively as your scripting language to learn and remember all its
quirks and to tap into its incredible power. No offense Perl
officianados--don't flame me for having a preference--I just feel it
just arcane, complex, idiosyncratic for non-professionals. It is like
setting up a table saw to cut a stick in my opinion. That is where
RealBasic starts to look good although I think it is very pricey when
compared to other tools.  I am not a professional so it seems
expensive for home/student/non-profit use.


I strongly desire to create a "RealPython", but, while the spirit is
willing, the skill is weak. If only for the Mac, Carbon could be used.
If Windows and Linux support is required, Jython and Java could be
used. I believe a Java framework could be created that would provide
something close to RealBasic, but of course the Devil is in the
details isn't he?


RealBasic has appeal, but I believe it  lacks of the lower-level power
and syntax sophistication to repelae Python, Jython, and Java in my
tools box. Although I wish it could. Maybe the developers of RealBasic
will  take this on? They might even pull it off although they would
undoubtedly charge too much for it ;-).

<color><param>0000,0000,DEB7</param>

</color><excerpt>..and it would have jam on it.


Yet if your only tool is a hammer, every problem ends up looking like a

nail.

</excerpt>

Yes, one of my favorite phrases which is often useful in technology
time and time again--that says something about the maturity and
flexibility of the current development tools doesn't it? Apple could
have made easier on us if they had provided greater Unix
interoperability including X Server support (one of my peeves wiht OSX
is that one).=20


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