[Info-vax] Python for x86?

[Arne Vajhøj]

On 4/12/2023 9:49 PM, Craig A. Berry wrote:
> On 4/12/23 11:37 AM, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
>> - Python is one of the top 3 languages - widely used for
>>    admin scripting, big data/data-analysis/ML/AI, web
>>    development (Django), education etc. etc.
> 
> It's had massive investment by Google and others and its original author
> has stuck around to see it through the 2 to 3 transition even if
> stepping back from the role of benevolent dictator for life. Its success
> is impressive but I don't know how much it has to do with the language
> itself.

The relationship between language syntax/features and language
success is rarely clear.

:-)

I remember back when Perl, Python and Tcl was 3 equivalent choices
for scripting.

They evolved very different - Perl stayed where it was, Python became
a widely used language and Tcl is practically dead.

Why did Python become such a success while the other did not?

My guess:
- Python managed to get into education - not just CS like
   Perl but much broader
- Python web approaches with Django etc. turned more future oriented
   than Perl CGI
- Python got on the big data / analytics / ML / AI  train
   and when that took off it pulled Python with it

> Python 3 requires libffi.  I believe it was an impediment to getting
> Python 3 on Alpha because it involved finding someone who knew Alpha
> assembler who could implement a module in that.

I remember the Python 3 "port problem" being libffi.

But if the libffi problem is assembler knowledge then I am
puzzled - I would expect way more Alpha assembler programmers
than Itanium programmers.

>                            Also, I believe Perl is a dependency for
> building OpenSSL, which is part of the VMS base install.  While the
> current OpenSSL kits are probably cross builds, that may be changing
> soon and it may have something to do with the order of porting.  I also
> have the impression that at least some people at VSI use Perl frequently
> as the swiss army chainsaw it's known for.

:-)

Arne