On 4/25/2007 9:31 PM, Robert Kern wrote: >>> The things that I get annoyed with every time I have to read some Matlab >>> code >>> are the lack of namespaces and first-class function objects. >> Matlab does have first-class function objects. You can get a handle to >> any function using the @ operator. Matlab has closures as well. > > I wish people would use them, then.
You have to realize that Matlab is mainly used by people who are not skilled programmers but scientists and engineers, the majority of which have never used anything else except perhaps Fortran 77. An array is the most advanced data structure they will ever need. I should know, I was among them for several years. Then I did something as silly as teaching myself C++. God knows why. Matlab gives interactive access to Fortran arrays and libraries, e.g. LAPACK. That is what Matlab was designed to do and it does that very well. Even the name Matlab reflects that, it is an abbreviation for "matrix laboratory". I am not surprised that most Matlab users do not use facilities like function handles or closures. But Matlab does have that, nevertheless. Sturla Molden _______________________________________________ Numpy-discussion mailing list Numpy-discussion@scipy.org http://projects.scipy.org/mailman/listinfo/numpy-discussion
