Python is the most popular programming language and beloved by many. However I can’t understand why (this is still the case in 2024).

Here are my main gripes with it:

  • It is slow, performance intensive tasks have to be offloaded to other languages, which makes it complicated to analyse. Moreover I wonder how many kwH could have been saved if programms were written in more performant languages. (and there are better alternatives out there)
  • The missing type system makes it easy to make errors, and the missing compiler makes it hard to catch them
  • It has no linear algebra built in, so you always have to convert things to numpy arrays, which is quite annoying
  • Managing virtual environments and pip packages feels overly complicated

I guess much comes down to personal, but I just can’t understand the love for python.

  • TheOneCurly@lemm.ee
    2·
    9 months ago

    I’m not a huge python fan but I’m pretty confused about point 3. What alternative languages have decent linear algebra support built in?

      • Admiral Patrick@dubvee.orgM
        5·
        9 months ago

        Sounds like you’re just using the wrong tool for the job, then.

        It’s like you’re trying to drive a screw in with a hammer.

        • scharf_2x40@lemmy.worldOP
          2·
          9 months ago

          No I mean, Python is definitely the most used language in scientific computing, but yeah, I would use something else if I could.

          • XTL@sopuli.xyz
            1·
            9 months ago

            Why would it be better or important in any way to have that be a “language feature” instead of a library?

            If it can be a library, it’s obviously not something that needs to be a part of the language. Most uses have absolutely no need for linear algebra. Why drag on useless baggage and bloat?

            • scharf_2x40@lemmy.worldOP
              2·
              9 months ago

              Yeah that point was not entirely accurate. What I meant was, that a np.array and a list don’t work together. Coming from julia and matlab it just does not make sense to me, why I can’t use a function written for a list for a np.array even if they basically represent the exaxt same thing.

              Julia for example hast linalg as a module but functions work on lists with no problem.

        • remotelove
          2·
          9 months ago

          Not only can you sometimes drive a normal wood screw with a hammer, they also make hammer drive screws. And nails that screw…

          Also, every tool is also a hammer.

          (Sorry. I had to pick a little bit of fun at that analogy.)