Python for embedded systems?

[Paul Rubin]

Paulito <paulito at gmail.com> writes:
> "Is Python 'mature' enough to be considered the primary language for
> embedded systems? Is the performance there for real-time applications
> (eg avionics, real-time control systems) or is it still more suitable
> "...as a glue language,  used to combine components written in C++" ?"

IMO it's not a matter of maturity, but of design features.  If you mean
hard real time, Python really is not suited to that type of application,
which has rather specialized requirements.  Python is surely used in
some soft realtime applications since lots of embedded devices these
days are fairly standard linux boxes under the skin.

> And further:
> "Has anyone tried to shorten development time when porting code to a
> new embedded hardware platform, by trying to convert legacy code (C/C+
> +/Ada) to Python?"

That would be a re-implementation rather than a port.  Closest thing I
can think of is Ericsson switching from C++ to Erlang in its phone
switches.

> I'm currently thinking that Python isn't there yet but certainly would
> like to hear any feedback.

Do you have a specific application in mind?