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From: David Brown <david.brown@hesbynett.no>
Newsgroups: comp.unix.shell,comp.unix.programmer,comp.lang.misc
Subject: Re: Python (was Re: I did not inhale)
Date: Thu, 22 Aug 2024 10:10:18 +0200
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On 22/08/2024 09:42, Muttley@dastardlyhq.com wrote:
> On Wed, 21 Aug 2024 21:15:14 +0200
> David Brown <david.brown@hesbynett.no> boringly babbled:
>> On 21/08/2024 17:40, Muttley@dastardlyhq.com wrote:
>>> The problem with pyserial is you have to use Python. Horrible language
>>> though like BASIC, useful for teaching kids to code.
>>>
>>
>> Let's just say, opinions differ.  Python /can/ be used for beginner
> 
> Yes, its ultimately subjective. The reasons I don't like it are that I can't
> stand dynamic typing in supposed "proper" languages and the syntatically
> meaningful whitespace nonsense they took from Occam really grinds my gears.
> In my current job I'm forced to use it but I'd never do it out of choice.
> 

Dynamic typing has its advantages and disadvantages.  You do lose a lot 
of human checking and static checking when you have dynamic typing, but 
you gain flexibility.  Have you tried using type annotations in Python? 
For some code it can give a reasonable compromise, letting you have at 
least some control of types while also being flexible where you want.

I am a big fan of clear and consistent layout and indentation, which is 
forced on you by Python (and Occam), but I too prefer explicit blocking. 
  It's harder to get things wrong with explicit blocking, and you are 
never faced with space vs. tab conflicts causing semantic changes to the 
code.

>> programmers - but it is also an excellent language for many real tasks.
>> Of course it has its weaknesses and disadvantages as well as its
>> strengths, and aspects that will appeal to some programmers and not others.
> 
> IMO its fine for small scripts up to maybe a few hundred lines. Beyond that
> no.
> 

Oh, it's fine for /far/ bigger programs than that.  But it is excellent 
for small scripts and utilities.

Like any language, you need discipline and to work in a way that suits 
the language.  If you approach Python coding as though it were C, or 
vice versa, you'll make a mess.