Programming Forums > Script Programming > Python

Dietrich · Sep 17th, 2006, 1:36 PM

If you would know Python and C++ equally well, what kind of programs would you use each of these languages for?

Why would C++ be preferred over Python?

Arevos · Sep 17th, 2006, 1:57 PM

I'd use C++ when Python isn't fast enough to accomplish what I want to do. Or if C++ has a vital library I need and Python doesn't.

So efficiency and libraries, really. Not that Python's particularly lacking for libraries

DaWei · Sep 17th, 2006, 2:38 PM

You will definitely find Python inferior to C++ when it comes to performance (I do find Pyton to be superior to PHP in that respect). That doesn't mean I'm not using the hell out of Python -- I am. Here's an example: generating my set of basic tic-tac-toe patterns takes a few seconds in Python. It takes so long in PHP that one can't write it as a server function because the script times out. In C++, the time is humanly indistinguishable from instantaneous.

Arevos · Sep 17th, 2006, 2:53 PM

Incidentally, tools like SWIG and Pyrex make integrating C++ with Python require very little effort indeed. Pyrex uses a Python-like syntax that translates directly into C, whilst SWIG automatically turns standard C functions into ones compatable with the Python C++ API. Psyco is also worth looking into as a way to speed up Python code.

DaWei · Sep 17th, 2006, 3:06 PM

I'll look into Swig and Pyrex, as I've been thinking about dinking with the C API. Psyco is indeed very useful, though not bullet-proof.

Jessehk · Sep 17th, 2006, 4:33 PM

There is also Boost.Python, but I just know of it; I haven't used it.

http://boost.org/libs/python/doc/index.html

Game_Ender · Oct 11th, 2006, 12:45 AM

I have played around with Boost.Python it provides a very nice python interface and wrapping system. Combined with Py++ you can even get SWIG like wrapper generation. The only downside is of course the compile time which will can get a little long due to the heavy use of templates. But you have to admit being able to do this is pretty cool:

(Toggle Plain Text)

object f(object x, object y) {
     if (y == "foo")
         x.slice(3,7) = "bar";
     else
         x.attr("items") += y(3, x);
     return x;
}
object getfunc() {
    return object(f);
}

jazzychic18 · Jan 3rd, 2007, 1:43 PM

I want to learn how to program and people say prthon is the easy to learn out of all programming language. can anyone tell me the easiest to learn just so i can get a feel for programming and can anyone suggest any books or free tutorial websites to recommend. Greatly appreciated for any recommendations or insight in the subject.

Arevos · Jan 3rd, 2007, 2:30 PM

You might want to look here

ReggaetonKing · Jan 3rd, 2007, 2:33 PM

I like how you just hijack this thread. Why not create your own?!

And For your quesrion, I would look into this FREE ebook. It is a beginner's level intro to programming book on Python. It very good and easy to read.

http://greenteapress.com/thinkpython/thinkCSpy.pdf

Sep 17th, 2006, 1:36 PM	#1
Dietrich Professional Programmer Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 434 Rep Power: 4	Coding in Python or C++ If you would know Python and C++ equally well, what kind of programs would you use each of these languages for? Why would C++ be preferred over Python? __________________ I looked it up on the Intergnats!

Sep 17th, 2006, 2:38 PM	#3
DaWei Resident Grouch Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 6,453 Rep Power: 10	You will definitely find Python inferior to C++ when it comes to performance (I do find Pyton to be superior to PHP in that respect). That doesn't mean I'm not using the hell out of Python -- I am. Here's an example: generating my set of basic tic-tac-toe patterns takes a few seconds in Python. It takes so long in PHP that one can't write it as a server function because the script times out. In C++, the time is humanly indistinguishable from instantaneous. __________________ Abstraction doesn't make it impossible to write bad code; it makes it possible to write superior code. Contributor's Corner: Grumpy on C++ Exceptions DaWei on Pointers

Sep 17th, 2006, 3:06 PM	#5
DaWei Resident Grouch Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 6,453 Rep Power: 10	I'll look into Swig and Pyrex, as I've been thinking about dinking with the C API. Psyco is indeed very useful, though not bullet-proof. __________________ Abstraction doesn't make it impossible to write bad code; it makes it possible to write superior code. Contributor's Corner: Grumpy on C++ Exceptions DaWei on Pointers

Sep 17th, 2006, 4:33 PM	#6
Jessehk The Oblivious One Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 644 Rep Power: 4	There is also Boost.Python, but I just know of it; I haven't used it. http://boost.org/libs/python/doc/index.html __________________ Dr. Zoidberg: [ecstatic] I'm going to a movie... with FRIENDS!

Oct 11th, 2006, 12:45 AM	#7
Game_Ender Professional Programmer Join Date: May 2006 Location: Maryland, USA Posts: 306 Rep Power: 3	I have played around with Boost.Python it provides a very nice python interface and wrapping system. Combined with Py++ you can even get SWIG like wrapper generation. The only downside is of course the compile time which will can get a little long due to the heavy use of templates. But you have to admit being able to do this is pretty cool: (Toggle Plain Text) object f(object x, object y) { if (y == "foo") x.slice(3,7) = "bar"; else x.attr("items") += y(3, x); return x; } object getfunc() { return object(f); } object f(object x, object y) { if (y == "foo") x.slice(3,7) = "bar"; else x.attr("items") += y(3, x); return x; } object getfunc() { return object(f); }

Sep 17th, 2006, 1:57 PM	#2
Arevos Programming Guru Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: England Posts: 1,499 Rep Power: 5	I'd use C++ when Python isn't fast enough to accomplish what I want to do. Or if C++ has a vital library I need and Python doesn't. So efficiency and libraries, really. Not that Python's particularly lacking for libraries

Sep 17th, 2006, 2:53 PM	#4
Arevos Programming Guru Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: England Posts: 1,499 Rep Power: 5	Incidentally, tools like SWIG and Pyrex make integrating C++ with Python require very little effort indeed. Pyrex uses a Python-like syntax that translates directly into C, whilst SWIG automatically turns standard C functions into ones compatable with the Python C++ API. Psyco is also worth looking into as a way to speed up Python code.

Jan 3rd, 2007, 1:43 PM	#8
jazzychic18 Newbie Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	I want to learn how to program and people say prthon is the easy to learn out of all programming language. can anyone tell me the easiest to learn just so i can get a feel for programming and can anyone suggest any books or free tutorial websites to recommend. Greatly appreciated for any recommendations or insight in the subject.

Jan 3rd, 2007, 2:30 PM	#9
Arevos Programming Guru Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: England Posts: 1,499 Rep Power: 5	You might want to look here

Jan 3rd, 2007, 2:33 PM	#10
ReggaetonKing Sexy Programmer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 891 Rep Power: 3	I like how you just hijack this thread. Why not create your own?! And For your quesrion, I would look into this FREE ebook. It is a beginner's level intro to programming book on Python. It very good and easy to read. http://greenteapress.com/thinkpython/thinkCSpy.pdf __________________ I would love to change the world, but they won't give me the source code!

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Programming Forums > Script Programming > Python

Coding in Python or C++