"Python" is not a good name, should rename to "Athon"

J. Clifford Dyer jcd at sdf.lonestar.org
Sat Dec 1 15:47:04 EST 2007


On Sat, 2007-12-01 at 12:10 -0800, Russ P. wrote:
> On Dec 1, 2:10 am, Bjoern Schliessmann <usenet-
> mail-0306.20.chr0n... at spamgourmet.com> wrote:
> > Russ P. wrote:
> > > I agree that Python is not a good name for a programming language,
> >
> > Why not?
> 
> Think about proposing its use to someone who has never heard of it
> (which I did not too long ago). As the OP pointed out, a Python is a
> snake. Why should a programming language be named after a snake?

That's not a persuasive argument.

First of all, Python is named for a comedy troupe from England.  For
comparison, Perl is named for a knitting technique, Lisp is named for a
speech impediment, Ruby is named for a rock, Smalltalk is named for a
not-so-useful form of communication, and Java is named after a beverage
or an island.  

Which of those is a good name for a programming language by your
criterion?  I like the name Python.  It has a nice ring to it, and has
connotations that are simultaneously badass and humorous.  

For that matter, why name sneakers after a goddess of justice?  Why name
a car after a planet/resort town/rodent/mountain?

Because brand names are supposed to be memorable, not meaningful.

Cheers,
Cliff






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