On 17 Jun 2005 06:26:50 -0700, George Sakkis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > During the last 18 months or so I have indulged in the joy of learning > and using python for almost everything, but I may have to go back to > C/C++ at work. Suddenly I found myself transliterating (or translating > at least) common python idioms and patterns, looking for libraries to > replace python's "included batteries" or writing my own from scratch, > (over)using templates in an attempt to mimic duck typing, and so on. > Still, I am not sure if this is a good idea in general since every > language has its own idiosyncrasies, and this is obvious when one sees > python code looking like C or Java. > > So, I wonder what have others who have gone the same path done and > learned in similar situations.
I feel exactly like you described, both when I move from C++ to Python, and when I move from Python to C++. I think most multi-language programmers feel like this, and I don't think there's anything wrong with it. What I do? I try to keep calm and resist the temptation to write C++ code in Python and the other way around. Why? Because I know how much I hate C++ code written as if it was Java, or C, or Smalltalk. (rearranged from above) > OTOH, bringing python's higher > level of expressiveness to C/C++ might actually be a good thing, > leading to cleaner, safer code. Maybe. On the other hand, you risk messing up the things that make idiomatic C++ clean and safe: static typing, const correctness, conservative use of inheritance and polymorphism, ... And in the end: will other C++ programmers hate your code? Will they modify it without butchering your original design? > How one can avoid the frustration of > having to work with a low level language once he has seen the Light ? I wouldn't call the modern C++ you (since you don't seem to be afraid of templated) use a "low level language". It does different choices compared to Python when it comes to run-time efficiency versus usability, and so on. But yes, programming in C++ is usually more tedious and frustrating -- and less fun. /Jorgen -- // Jorgen Grahn <jgrahn@ Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu \X/ algonet.se> R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn! -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
