Python's popularity

[Steve Holden]

r wrote:
> I think when Python was first brought to this dark world by a genius
> named Guido van Rossum, it had complete dominance in it's niche,
> actually Python created a niche where none existed before. Since the
> advent of Ruby(Python closet competitor), Python's hold on this niche
> is slipping. A lot of Ruby noobies don't even realize that most of
> Ruby is an out-right plagiarism of Python. But I guess that's OK,
> because Python has borrowed from other languages itself.. just not in
> such a -sell your soul- kind of way as Ruby!.
> 
> Now since Python *is not* the only language on it's block, we have to
> compete with our main nemesis(Ruby) for survival(I wonder if mats
> would have been so revolutionary to introduce indention if Guido had
> not done it first??, it seems to me he is a braces fanboy ;)
> 
What makes you assume this is a zero-sum game, and that Python won't
survive if any other language becomes popular. Every language borrows
from those that came before it. Terms like "outright plagiarism" don't
encourage rational debate, and make you seem like a troll who is more
interested in stirring up controversy than actually doing things to help
promote the language.

> Now more than ever we must stick to the Zen and clean up Python's
> warts to keep the dream alive and regain our right full crown. Python
> is better than Ruby, I have no doubt in my mind, but if we let ruby
> become -faster- than Python, people will gravitate away from Python.
> Speed IS important even in high level languages. We must never forget
> that! The war is not over just because we have Google, Nasa, and ILM.
> On the Contrary, it has just begun. I believe mats is not going to
> accept Ruby as 2nd best to Python, he will wage war on Pythonia. And
> if we fail to preempt this attack, we shall be like the burning ships
> of pearl harbor! Maybe Guido has a secret weapon up his sleeve(big
> boy), but 3.0 was defiantly not the bomb!
> 
I have an article about the Zen coming up in "Python Magazine" so I
won't steal its thunder. Suffice it to say that people take the Zen far
too seriously. Anyone who does so undermines their own credibility as a
Python commentator. This isn't a war. Stop being childish.

> Mats will now take advantage of the weaknesses in Py3000 and run with
> them. Whispering in everyones ear how much faster Ruby is to Python.
> And weather you like to hear it or not, this ROR thing is exploding,
> we must counter attack this vile disgrace to Pythonia. Do not sit back
> and say "well we are the best and we don't need to try any harder".
> For you will be left in the evolutionary dust of Ruby. And next year,
> left wanting...
> 
If all you want from a language is speed, go use C. I would avoid
assembly language though, since a modern optimizing C compiler will
often beat an assembly language programmer for execution speed, and the
programming time will definitely be shorter. But to make speed the
be-all and end-all is a witless approach. Speed is definitely not why
dynamic languages' popularity is increasing. Speed *is* still relevant
in certain areas, and completely irrelevant in others.

> We need to sound the battle cries and gather the legions. Then we
> shall march across Rubonia and *raise* their cities to the ground. We
> shall encompass thy house O' Ruby -- and lay waste to it! After we
> slay thee, we shall breed with thy women and convert thy children. We
> shall rule with an iron fist!, crushing all resistance to Python's
> absolute power. Like the great kings of olde, monuments will be
> erected so all generations shall be witness of our power, and glory.
> """ O' Python, for the sound of thy chariots will be so fear full no
> army could stand against thee!""" We shall avenge the atrocities and
> hypocrocies you have brought upon this world Ruby! And then you shall
> know that we are the Lord of this world, when our vengeance is cast
> upon you!
> 
> I will be monitoring comp.lang.python and over the next 6 months I
> will conduct a census of the users of this group. So far I have only
> seen maybe 20 regulars here. I had hoped they numbered several
> thousand, but i am starting to think more in the hundreds or even
> less :(. I will post my findings to this group. It shall be a wake up
> call for those of you who think the war is over. Get off your bums you
> lazy-coach-potatos, the fight is not over yet. Do not let your eye's
> become "wide shut"!!!
> 
> Truth shall be the judge...

Much more of this kind of tripe and nobody will read what you write
anyway. You will hear the plonking of a hundred thousand newsreaders
every time you post.

regards
 Steve
-- 
Steve Holden        +1 571 484 6266   +1 800 494 3119
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