[Python-Dev] Re: native code compiler? (or, OCaml vs. Python)

30 Jan 2003 15:59:47 -0500

[Graham Guttocks]
> It would be nice to use Python for more serious projects, but it isn't
> fast enough currently.

It might well depend on projects. We have fairly serious, production-level
projects, and Python is quite fast enough for them. And very dependable
too, in our experience. A real blessing. Oh, we got a bit of profiling
and tuning to do here and there, once in a while. Then, a few thoughtful
algorithmic changes give us great rewards. Extensions are also possible.
Of course, speed increases in Python are welcome, but we should not let
ourselves go frantic about speed. I guess that serious projects are often
more interested in good and dependable results, and ease in development
and maintenance, than in saving a few minutes or hours on a production run.
So, for one at least, I think I like the current orientation, priorities
and attitudes of Python developers about speed. They undoubtedly care
about it, but intelligently, by protecting dependability and usability.
-- 
Fran輟is Pinard http://www.iro.umontreal.ca/~pinard