Python vs. C++ Builder - speed of development

[Brandon Van Every]

John Ochiltree wrote:
>
> The obvious difference between C++ and python is surface complexity.

I agree.  C++ is unnecessarily verbose and picky.

> Python allows you to 'see' the solution a lot faster; C++ - you have
> to mentally filter out all the gumph that is not to do with the
> solution.

I disagree.  90% of the time I do not use the verbose / picky stuff.  For
the kinds of 3D graphics problems I usually tackle, it isn't going to make
any difference whether the class methods are specified in Python or C++.

I do agree that when I *am* forced into the verbose / picky stuff that 10%
of the time, I lose disproportionate amounts of time mastering yet-another
language "feature" of C++.  Consequently, I Keep It Simple Stupid 90% of the
time.  That's how you survive in a C++ world.  You either do things in a
very simple and straightforward way, or you get paid a lot of money by
someone else to deal with the headaches.

> For instance, if I apply a pattern (an architectural
> feature) in either language I can see how the pattern supports the
> solution faster and easier with Python than I can with C++.

For my particular case use, I do not believe in patterns.  I believe in
mathematics.  I care about things like "SphereArc" or "Trigrid."  Not
"Abstract Factory" or "Singleton/Letter."  I've got books on all that stuff,
and for what I do, it's rubbish.

> I tend to
> use python to prototype and explore possible solutions but if I need
> optimisation I do a thorough up front design based on the prototype
> but using C++.

I just code up an exceedingly minimal feature set in C++ to begin with.  I
don't code things unless I absolutely know that I need them.  I have a RISC
attitude towards coding, not a featuritis attitude.  I am exceedingly
incremental and architectural about how I handle my own development.  I can
do that because I'm the only one coding.  In a customer environment where I
had to spew a lot of featuritis to please fools, I'd probably adopt
different tactics.

In my game development, I forsee a time when I'll need a more flexible,
experimental approach to coding.  But right now I'm building the structural
foundation.  C++ is the correct tool for my jobs right now.

--
Cheers,                         www.3DProgrammer.com
Brandon Van Every               Seattle, WA

20% of the world is real.
80% is gobbledygook we make up inside our own heads.