I've been reading the buzz around Microsoft's reduced commitment to Iron* languages and wondering if I should rethink my own commitment to IronPython. To fill you in, I'm a designer of instruments and software for scientific data acquisition and analysis. My current software uses a dynamic language for scripting in a Win32 based framework program for acquisition and VBA scripting in a VB program for analysis. We decided to rewrite the whole thing in C#+.Net4+IronPython.
On stackoverflow, someone asked about using Iron* vs PowerShell for scripting in a C# application in light of Microsoft's changing committment. This was my answer: > I'm in a similar position. > I decided to use IronPython scripting but ever since I saw Anders Hejlsberg's > talk "The Future of C#", I've had a feeling IronPython was doomed. > > It was in Microsoft's interest to get the DLR developed but they ultimately > want us to use tools and languages they control. After all, aren't you using > C# and not Java? So what will a Microsoft dynamic language look like? How > about dynamic, interpreted C# (Iron C#)? Hejlsberg's talk made it clear it > isn't that far away. He even had a console window with a REPL interface. > That said, there's always a possibility for Iron VB. Talk about closing the > loop. > > On the plus side for us programmers, Iron C# also solves another problem that > I'm having trouble with -- the existence of two parallel object environments, > one of .Net objects, one of Python objects. It takes work to get from one to > the other. I assume an Iron C# would utilize the .Net class structure. > > My advice: Stick with Iron Python and .Net classes. When Iron VB or Iron C# > happens, it'll be a quick, maybe automatic, language translation. Besides, > if enough of us use IronPython, Microsoft may change their mindset. So my question to you is a) am I thinking correctly about the future of IronPython, and 2) if not IronPython, what scripting language should I be considering for a .Net C# application? I should let you know I'm also considering switching to Qt/PyQt/Cpython. Thanks for your input. Max _______________________________________________ Users mailing list Users@lists.ironpython.com http://lists.ironpython.com/listinfo.cgi/users-ironpython.com