[Wolves] Programming

[Jono Bacon]

HEya,

Something to bear in mind is that Mo wants to do
Qt/KDE stuff. I don't know the state of Python
bindings for either. That is why I mainly suggested
C++.

  Jono

--- bambam at opendildonics.org wrote:
> > > 2) Quick to learn
> > >
> > > C/C++ take frikin' ages to learn if you've never
> coded
> > > before, and everything you write for the next 4
> years (if
> > > you're lucky) I (or other dodgy geezers about)
> will be able
> > > to use to take over your machine. Which brings
> me onto my
> > > next point:
> > >
> >
> > Having said that, I must point out that one of the
> best programming
> > books I have ever read was ABC (A Book on C). I've
> no idea who the
> > author was now, but I'm sure it is easy to find. I
> enjoyed reading it
> > (while on the train many times three years ago),
> and did understand C by
> > the end of it. Unfortunately I never used my new
> knowledge and reverted
> > to Java and Shell scripting, so can no longer
> remember what pointers etc
> > are.
> 
> Took me four years to learn C properly. I learned
> python in
> about a week (admittedly I was a little older etc,
> but Wow!
> what a difference).
> 
> > > 3) Easy to keep bug-free.
> > >
> > > Bugs and C/C++ go together like bonnie and
> clyde, like butch
> > > casady and the sundance kid. Coding in C/C++ is
> the digital
> > > equivalent of flying a jet fighter with no
> intruments and no
> > > onboard computer. High level languages sort all
> the
> > > crazyness out for you and basically fly the
> plane - you just
> > > sit there and dictate where it needs to go.
> > >
> >
> > Higher level languages still encounter bugs, and
> as a beginner you
> > really need to understand things like Arrays,
> Lists, Hash tables,
> > Objects, Inheritance etc.... regardless of what
> language
> 
> Indeed they do, and you do, but "as a beginner" you
> don't
> really need to understand things like linked lists,
> pointer-pointer lists, heap and stack structure,
> off-by-one bugs, memory leaks etc...
> 
> You need to understand all these things to code in
> C/C++
> with even a trace of competence.
> 
> > > 4) Demonstrate (and indeed enforce) good
> programming style,
> > > structure, layout and techniques.
> > >
> > > C/C++ do none of that, neither does perl, but
> python does it
> > > all.
> > >
> > I'm not necessarily sure that a programming
> language can enforce any of
> > the above personally. Reading the right books,
> having a mentor and the
> > ability to accept constructive criticism are good
> starting points.
> 
> Maybe that's because you're a shell scripter.
> 
> > > 6) Allow cross platform use.
> > >
> > > Python code is truly cross-platform.
> >
> > So is Java, Perl and numerous other languages.
> 
> But not shell script.
> 
> > > Python is the best language to learn to code in
> first. It is
> > > a fast developing, clear, ninja language, that
> will glue
> > > everything you do after learning it together;
> both in your
> > > head and sometimes in the code. It is an awesome
> tool to be
> > > able to pull out of your hat.
> >
> > Perhaps after Kat learns Python I will give it a
> go, until then I will
> > remain unconvinced that any language can be that
> good.
> 
> Indeed you should. I'm not convinced that you
> wouldn't be
> convinced. But then, you're a shell scripter.
> 
> > --
> > Technical Consultant
> > Open Minds High Availability Solutions
> > w : http://openminds.co.uk
> > e : david.goodwin at openminds.co.uk
> > t : +44 (0)121 313 3947 f : +44 (0)121 313 3944
> 
> "Open Minds" vs. "until then I will remain
> unconvinced..." ?
> You decide :-)
> 
> bambam
> 
> --
> Cry 'import socket' and let slip the packets of war.
> 
> 
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=====
Jono Bacon - http://www.jonobacon.org/
Professional Writer / Web Developer / Musician

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