4 ms·

We definitely could support other languages, Python is the first one we went for because of modules like NumPy and SciPy, which are a great fit for spreadsheets

by gpjt 16y ago

We definitely could support other languages, Python is the first one we went for because of modules like NumPy and SciPy, which are a great fit for spreadsheets that do serious number-crunching. If we were to support Ruby or JS, the one question would be what to do with the formula language. Right now we recognise a language that is kind of a superset of both "traditional" spreadsheet formula syntax and Python expressions. (We actually started with the BNF for the Python grammar and then extended it.) Once we've parsed formulae using that grammer, we compile down to Python and run it. Now, obviously we could compile down to Ruby or JavaScript equally well, but I suspect we'd need to use a more Rubyesque or JavaScript-like formula language too, which might be... interesting. We currently can import values from Excel, but not formulae -- we've definitely got to improve that. Gdocs import is something we'll get sorted too.

mryan 16y ago
Before spending time adding support for additional languages, I would wait for someone to demonstrate their need and willingness to pay for this feature. I have read some interesting things about Python being used in the maths/science worlds (NumPy/SciPy being great examples), but have never heard of Ruby or JS being used in this context. So I think a lot of web devs will say "It should support Ruby/JS/whatever" - but how many of those people are actually going to pay for the site? Is there any reason to support these languages other than the cool factor? Adding support for VBA would probably help bring a lot of corporates over to your site, although I really feel for whoever ends up coding that! :-) This is a great site btw, lovely logo/design, and a fantastic piece of tech behind it. I could see this being bought by Google and folded in to Spreadsheets.
- gpjt 16y ago
  Sounds sensible. And definitely agreed re: VBA... > This is a great site btw, lovely logo/design, and a fantastic piece of tech behind it. I could see this being bought by Google and folded in to Spreadsheets. Thanks! Our fingers are crossed :-)

by gpjt 16y ago

mryan 16y ago

Before spending time adding support for additional languages, I would wait for someone to demonstrate their need and willingness to pay for this feature. I have read some interesting things about Python being used in the maths/science worlds (NumPy/SciPy being great examples), but have never heard of Ruby or JS being used in this context. So I think a lot of web devs will say "It should support Ruby/JS/whatever" - but how many of those people are actually going to pay for the site? Is there any reason to support these languages other than the cool factor? Adding support for VBA would probably help bring a lot of corporates over to your site, although I really feel for whoever ends up coding that! :-) This is a great site btw, lovely logo/design, and a fantastic piece of tech behind it. I could see this being bought by Google and folded in to Spreadsheets.

gpjt 16y ago
Sounds sensible. And definitely agreed re: VBA... > This is a great site btw, lovely logo/design, and a fantastic piece of tech behind it. I could see this being bought by Google and folded in to Spreadsheets. Thanks! Our fingers are crossed :-)