Programs written in Python can be five times shorter than
equivalent Java programs, writes Nick Langley
What is it?
Python is an interpreted, interactive, object-oriented
programming language, which can be downloaded and used for free. It
is most frequently compared with rival open source scripting
language Perl. But Python enthusiasts say it can be used in place
of Java or C++.
Where did it originate?
Python was created in 1990 by Guido van Rossum. He had
previously worked on a scripting language called ABC, which was
intended to introduce computer concepts to beginners. Van Rossum
reworked ABC with elements of Modula, Lisp and Smalltalk, and added
an interpreter written in C.
What is it for?
Like Perl, Python is ideal for prototype development, and for
use as scripting language to make diverse components work together.
Proponents would reverse this, saying Python is a good
general-purpose language which is also good for prototyping. They
claim it handles large object-oriented programming tasks more
easily than C++ or Java and scales well.
What makes it special?
Where Perl is said to be ideal for individual developers engaged
in one-off projects, Python is more suitable for teams who need to
read and incorporate one another's output. Its plain syntax makes
it cheap and easy to maintain. The Python approach encourages
modularity and code reuse.
Van Rossum says that, while Python programs run more slowly than
Java, they tend to be three to five times shorter than equivalent
Java programs, and much quicker to develop. He recommends using
Java and Python together.
Prototypes can be developed in Python then converted to Java
components and glued into applications using Python. Similarly, van
Rossum says C++ developments can take one tenth of the time with
Python.
How difficult is it?
Python was developed as a teaching language for non-techies, and
is aimed at occasional users, although it fully supports advanced
full-time developers.
Where is it used?
It is hard to keep track of open source products, and there is
inevitably a great deal of unauthorised use in businesses. Backers
include Hewlett Packard and AT&T Research Labs. George Lucas'
film special effects company Industrial Light and Magic is a big
user.
What does it run on?
Unix and Linux; Dos, Windows and OS/2; and Macintosh (Python was
developed on a Mac). See www.comp.lang.python to find out if a
compiler is available. There is also JPython, a version of Python
that runs on the Java Virtual Machine.
Few people know that
The word python comes from the Greek pythein, to rot. The
related word, pythogenic, means "produced by filth". We expect this
word to enter the vocabulary of the highly-partisan Perl
community.
What's coming up?
Van Rossum wants to apply the Python approach to learning and
using other languages.
Rates of pay
Thanks to its roots as a Unix scripting language, Python often
turns up as a "would be an advantage" for C++ programmers. Pure
Python developer jobs are more rare, but can pay equally well. Look
for £35,000 to £40,000 upwards.
Training
There are plenty of introductions and tutorials and a wealth of
documentation and downloads at www.python. org. If you want
something on paper, try the open source community's house publisher
O'Reilly & Associates at www. oreilly.com