[Info-vax] Python on VMS

[Arne Vajhøj]

On 1/16/2019 9:11 AM, Bill Gunshannon wrote:
> On 1/16/19 8:34 AM, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
>> On 1/16/2019 7:55 AM, Neil Rieck wrote:
>>> Comment-1: I have been installing run-time libraries into VAX, Alpha
>>> and Itanium for 31-years and have never experienced any breakage with
>>> compiled programs. Many of these systems just continue to run
>>> forever. Systems requiring a specific version of Python are just one
>>> careless upgrade away from failure.
>>
>> There is nothing unusual in that new code does not run in old
>> environment - that is standard.
>>
>> But most like when old code continue to run in new environments.
>> Apparently "most" does not include the Python guys.
> 
> And when I complained about this with PHP everyone who
> heard it just said "So what, live with it".

So do those that want to use Python 3.x.

But I don't think PHP and Python are comparable in this
regard.

Certain PHP features are being removed or disabled by default
for security reasons.

But PHP actually do try to maintain compatibility. I believe
that was one of the reasons PHP 6 was ditched - they could
not switch to Unicode without breaking too much.

Python seems willing to change anything they think should
have been done differently.

>                                            Why would
> you be surprised that YAEL (yet Another Ego Language)
> would adopt the same attitude.

Both PHP and Python are extremely successful and
way beyond the original creator.

Guido van Rossum may have a bit of an ego. I don't
think Rasmus Lerdorf is that bad.

Disclaimer: I have never actually met them.

>>> Comment-2: Python is "very powerful" with interfaces into almost
>>> everything including MySQL and MariaDB 
>>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Python_(programming_language)
>>
>> That is not unique for Python.
> 
> True. In more ways than one.
> 
>>
>> But Python is let me call it "convenient" or "practical" - if
>> one needs to get something done then it is usually very easy
>> in Python.
> 
> It is not really any easier to do anything in Python than
> in a real language.  But using a real language just wouldn't
> be as cool.  The current nature of the industry.

I will assume you by real languages mean traditional
languages like Fortran, Cobol, C, Pascal etc..

Python is a lot easier than those languages for
a lot of what Python is used for.

As a mental exercise try thinking about the reaction
to these two scenarios:

A) VSI declare @ and DCL COM files for deprecated and
    recommend to use Python as replacement.

B) VSI declare @ and DCL COM files for deprecated and
    recommend to use Cobol as replacement.

Arne