[Info-vax] Python on VMS

[Arne Vajhøj]

On 1/16/2019 5:21 PM, Dave Froble wrote:
> On 1/16/2019 12:01 PM, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
>> On 1/16/2019 9:11 AM, Bill Gunshannon wrote:
>>> On 1/16/19 8:34 AM, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
>>>> 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.
> 
> Neither would work, without some serious development.
> 
> Does either understand:
> 
> DIRECTORY
> BACKUP
> SHOW
> 
> And the rest of the DCL verbs that invoke VMS utilities?

DIR and SHOW are very useful as interactive commands, but
for COM files it would typical by lexicals being used.

BACKUP would need to be spawned. Or some work would be needed
to support the BACKUP API.

> As for Python on top of DCL, well, that already exists, so what's the 
> problem?

I was trying to hint at that:
* for #A the result would be a fierce discussion of whether it was
   a good idea or not (DCL vs Python)
* for #B the result would a number of calls to VSI senior management
   to improve their drug testing program

Leading to a conclusion that for many things Python are
considered useful for the listed traditional languages
(Fortran, Cobol, C, Pascal etc.) are not really good alternatives.

Same the other way around - a lot those traditional languages
are used for would not be well suited for Python. As an
example: you will/can not write an OS kernel in Python.

Different languages for different purposes.

Arne