Python for use corporate ecommerce site?

[Richard Jones]

On Fri, 16 Aug 2002 5:24 am, stibbs wrote:
> have the ability to interact with oracle8i/9i, db2, postgresql.

Done, search google for python and the database of your choice.


> interaction with ups and fedex

You'll have to do that yourself.


> online store capabilities similar to amazon.com

You might want to check out the Bizar Shop product for Zope.


> complete control of updating store items/advertisements-specials for the
> company running the system.

See above.


> simple accounting functionality for the company running the system

Mmm. Can Of Worms.


> ssl/various crypto support

Done, see m2crypto.


> and the main thing the project manager and also the other developers and
> myself are concerned about is that it must be as fast (in all areas) as if
> the system were done using mod_perl.

What's "fast"? Do you have any actual numeric requirements, or do you just 
have a vague "it must be fast" requirement?


 The other developers and myself
> realize that with speed a major factor is the code itself, lets put
> that aside and just assume for this post that our developers are capable
> of programming in python "the right way" (although any links to the most
> efficient way to apply python are welcome).

We serve up a very popular, high-hit website at www.ekit.com - I'm spent some 
time optimising our Zope installation to cope with that. The results of my 
efforts are at:

   http://www.zope.org/Members/richard/docs/zope_optimisation.html

... some of those optimisations are relevant whether you're using Zope or not.


> would we use python/mod_python by itself or use them in conjunction with
> c++?
> is there anything in the python world that is equal to the likes in
> functionality and stability as mason?

I'd _strongly_ recommend you use a web service framework like Zope, Albatross, 
etc. rather than develop your own. You've got more than enough to do in 
implementing the shop!

A good place for you to start is:

   http://www.python.org/topics/web/

... but there's no link to albatross (and possibly others) on there:

   http://www.object-craft.com.au/projects/albatross/


> please give me any other suggestions you may have. ***I would especially
> appreciate unbiased advice from people who use multiple programming
> languages and who follow the motto that the right tool/s should be used
> for the job, not just one tool for everything***

I've used C, Perl, Python and Zope to do web programming since the early 
1990s. Zope is by far the best solution I've found. If I was to develop an 
application from scratch though (and I really, really want to discourage you 
from doing that!) then I'd start with Python. No question there.


     Richard