Is Python for me?

[Remco Gerlich]

DvdAvins <dvdavins at aol.com> wrote in comp.lang.python:
> I'm planning to write a program for myself which, if I'm happy with the way it
> turns out, I will likely distribute as shareware. I'm looking for as many of
> the following traits as possible:
> 
> 1:a functional language. I've been intrigued by functional languages for a
> while, but have had no occasion to use them at work.

Although Python has some features from functional languages, it is not
itself a functional language. It's more procedural/OO.

> 2: automatic garbage collection and other programmers' convenience features (I
> still have to take care of my day job)

Python is absolutely great at this.

> 3: support for objects (not necessary, just a convenience)

Check.

> 4: it MUST be distributable as a stand-alone program for Windows. I'd like to
> be able to distribute to Mac and Linux as well.

What counts as a stand-alone program? There are installers that will install
Python if it's not there yet and then your program; and there's a program
that will bundle your program and the interpreter into one big executable
that you can distribute. In the Mac case it'll probably be more work but I
don't know, for Linux you might assume a Python version to be around (but
then it'd be Python 1.5.2, I think).

I think most candidate languages have problems like this, several will have
worse problems.

> 5. there has to a good book on the language available in English or at least an
> IDE with and excdellent help environment.

There are IDEs, there is a good library reference (but I don't know how well
the IDEs integrate it), and there's this newsgroup and the Tutor list!
Excellent help environment includes a good newsgroup :).

> I'm investigating at M, Python, BETA, Scheme, Haskell, Icon, and Common Lisp.
> Which would you use? Why?

Common Lisp *should* be good at most of the things you list, but I don't
know. Python is very good too, then there's a gap.

Of course, you never said what you were going to do, you also need good
libraries available. Python is rather all-round :).

-- 
Remco Gerlich