Python Programming: your experiences

[Mernil]

PyPy is faster than CPython in some benchmarks (but far from all), but it's mostly not a revolutionary difference. V8 can come almost within an order of magnitude from C performance on some programs.

To be fair, people are paid to work on v8 (or its parts) for almost 30 years now.
Python is younger and no corporation pays for its development.

[loftar]

To be fair, people are paid to work on v8 (or its parts) for almost 30 years now.

Of course. I just stated the facts. It is what it is.

V8 is 6 years old, however. Not 30. :)

Python is younger and no corporation pays for its development.

Actually, Python is from 1991 and JavaScript from 1996. ^^

Also, like I said, Google tried to develop a Python accelerator (called Unladen Swallow) since they use Python very extensively, but abandoned the effort after it showed disappointing results.

[Mernil]

V8 is 6 years old, however. Not 30.

V8 is based on strongtalk.

Also, like I said, Google tried to develop a Python accelerator (called Unladen Swallow) since they use Python very extensively, but abandoned the effort after it showed disappointing results.

Yes I've looked for it when you mentioned that, and found about that Unladen Swallow Project.
That's sad, but really they didn't try much, only a few months.

[loftar]

V8 is based on strongtalk.

Sure, but if you're going to say that, then there's no need for a Python optimization project to start completely from scratch either. Unladen Swallow used LLVM. ;)

The point is not of much interest, however. Like I said, I'm not arguing that it's intrinsically impossible to compile Python code efficiently (though it is, as I argued, harder than most other languages). I've only been saying that there is, in fact, no good compiler for it, and that it is unlikely that one will crop up anytime soon.

[mvgulik]

Think Loftar was pretty clear about Python and its relative speed.
Any potential why's are not really important in relation to "What language's should I go for 'now'."

Python execution is darn fast, for its language type.
Python coding is relative easy, and relative easy to learn.
Python has a lot of additional support (modules and stuff)
But when execution speed is really imperative. Its not a good choice.

Your of course free to ignore that last part (for whatever reason you see fit). ... At your own peril.

I love Python.

Perhaps a little bit to much.

[FLO]

Python execution is darn fast, for its language type.
Python coding is relative easy, and relative easy to learn.
Python has a lot of additional support (modules and stuff)
But when execution speed is really imperative. Its not a good choice.

but how noticeable is it to the consumer/customer/user etc w/e?

[romovs]

I wouldn't concern too much about the speed at this point. You most likely not even going to notice any speed related issues on a beginner-intermediate level of projects.

That said, there is a speed difference, but as always it comes down to... depends. Recently, we ported an integration system (application that helps build other applications) from Python to another language (Go) which reduced the run time almost by 10 minutes.
However can't say I've ever noticed any speed issues with miscellaneous Python apps in daily use.

[FLO]

ok well i was just curious because i wouldn't making an app or two (or 3) but i wouldnt bother if the time lag was bad.
like up until mid W6

[loftar]

but how noticeable is it to the consumer/customer/user etc w/e?

Well, if it's just for learning projects, I doubt you're going to notice it, since most such programs are probably fast enough to consider as instantaneous anyway, and Python is an easy language to learn, so I don't recommend against that. Just be aware of it before you start reimplementing Crysis. :)

[Mernil]

I love Python.

Perhaps a little bit to much.

Python is great really. And since I'm not building applications for 60k hourly users I'm not much concerned about awesome performances.

And even if I was concerned about that Python doesn't really have to blush in front of others commons very high level abstraction languages.