Optional Static Typing

[Michael Sparks]

Rocco Moretti wrote:
...
> Is there a group of people for whom static typing truly helps? 

Yes. Python doesn't at present compile down to a binary executable. (Py2exe
don't really count since that's "just" tacking on a VM on the side (he says
dimissively regarding something he thinks is cool :) )

The closest I can get to this at present is pyrex - which essentially
performs a translation from a very python like language to C, which you
then compile, and if you do things right can produce standalone modules.
Type declarations there are optional, and if omitted falls back to a python
object. If they are included however, you can gain performance boosts for
certain kinds of work. (Most often though you're simply interfacing to C
code.)

ie the groups that could benefit are those that currently go to C/C++
extensions for performance boosts. (and of course those who just want
binary executables :) (In the absence of Starkiller being released that
is...)

Regards,


Michael.