Using Python for programming algorithms

[Jaap Spies]

Vicent Giner wrote:
> Hello.
> 
> I am new to Python. It seems a very interesting language to me. Its
> simplicity is very attractive.
> 
> However, it is usually said that Python is not a compiled but
> interpreted programming language —I mean, it is not like C, in that
> sense.
> 
> I am working on my PhD Thesis, which is about Operations Research,
> heuristic algorithms, etc., and I am considering the possibility of
> programming all my algorithms in Python.
> 
> The usual alternative is C, but I like Python more.
> 
> The main drawbacks I see to using Python are these:
> 
> * As far as I understand, the fact that Python is not a compiled
> language makes it slower than C, when performing huge amounts of
> computations within an algorithm or program.
> 
> * I don't know how likely it is to find libraries in Python related to
> my research field.
> 
> * I know Python is a "serious" and mature programming language, of
> course. But I do not know if it is seen as "just funny" in a research
> context. Is Python considered as a good programming language for
> implementing Operations Research algorithms, such as heuristics and
> other soft-computing algorithms?
> 

You definitely should take a look at Sage: http://www.sagemath.org/

This may offer all you need, based on Python integrating a lot of
other programs!

Jaap