 |
Python programming |
|
|
Python is a good language. It's readable, object, open source, loaded with tons of functions, extensible, scalable, interfacable with other languages, multiplatform (Dos, Windows, Macintosh, OS/2, Linux, Solaris...). It's easy, fast and fun to learn. You can hack fully-functionnal programs in an eye-blink. There are even RAD environments to construct complex graphical user interfaces (like Delphi or VB). See also what others say about Python.
On the other hand, it's not as fast as compiled C.
You can freely download Python and its documentation at http://www.python.org. You will find plenty of very interesting links at http://www.python-eggs.org/links.html (including links to french sites).
Snyppets - Python snippets
Here's a bunch of Python snippets.
Python programs
Some quick & dirty Python programs of mine.
Python + Windows + distutils + SWIG + gcc MinGW
or "How to create Python extensions in C/C++ under Windows without Microsoft Visual C++".
I had troubles finding proper instructions for this, so I wrote my own cookbook.
Here it is : http://sebsauvage.net/python/mingw.html
My favorite Python modules
For what it's worth:
- pywin32
URL: http://starship.python.net/crew/mhammond/win32/
Microsoft Windows-specific extensions (to access registry, ODBC, COM, services...)
- ctypes
URL: http://starship.python.net/crew/theller/ctypes/
Allows to call directly plateform native libraries (eg. DLL under Windows, for example). Can also perform COM call under Windows. Great to access plateform-specific APIs.
Now an integral part of Python (since Python 2.5).
- py2exe
URL: http://py2exe.sourceforge.net/
Easily create binary distributions of Python programs for plateforms where Python is not installed. It can create EXE from Python sources.
- pyChecker
URL: http://pychecker.sourceforge.net/
Find common mistakes in Python programs.
- Psyco
URL: http://psyco.sourceforge.net/
Python JIT(Just-In-Time)-like compiler to accelerate Python programs on 386-compatible processors (x2 to x100 speed up !).
- pysqlite
URL: http://pysqlite.org/
Tremendous local database engine. 98% SQL-92-compliant, blazingly fast, zero admin, light on ressources. Can work on disk or in memory (in-memory databases). SQLite databases are portable, too !
Now an integral part of Python (since Python 2.5).
Quotes
“Life is short
(You need Python)”
-- Bruce Eckel
ANSI C++ Comitee member,
author of «Thinking in C++» and «Thinking in Java»
« It’s a highly adaptable (and scalable), full-featured, object-oriented programming language that’s suitable for a wide variety of jobs. It's stable and mature, has large and powerful standard libraries, and integrates extremely well with C, C++, or Java code, and COM objects. » -- O'Reilly (http://www.onlamp.com/pub/wlg/3198)
« I feel Python was designed for the person who is actually doing the programming, to maximize their productivity. [...] When you have the experience of really being able to be as productive as possible, then you start to get pissed off at other languages. You think, "Gee, I've been wasting my time with these other languages." ». -- Bruce Eckel