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The benefits of typing for certain kinds of applications. Many people in the Python community simply aren't writing those kinds of applications. They're writin

by pdonis 4y ago

The benefits of typing for certain kinds of applications. Many people in the Python community simply aren't writing those kinds of applications. They're writing applications where typing is not a benefit, it's a hindrance, so they don't use it, and Python makes that easy.

zerodensity 4y ago
Could you give an example of a type of application where typing is a hindrance?
- randomluck040 4y ago
  Not a hindrance but I work with image data a lot. Usually what comes in is any kind of Numpy array and what comes out at the end is either statistics or a Numpy array. I try to type hint everywhere I can but I feel stupid doing so because all I do is work with arrays. Maybe I’m not proficient/knowledgeable enough though so take it with a grain of salt.
  - zerodensity 4y ago
    If it's truly "any" kind of Numpy array typing won't help much there I agree. But often it can be helpful to know the shape of the input and the shape of the output. Eg are we working with a 2D,3D or ND array. Before 3.11 it was not simple (possible?) To type this. But https://peps.python.org/pep-0646/ https://peps.python.org/pep-0646/ makes it possible. If somewhat clunky on the definition side.
- spookylukey 4y ago
  I did a fairly detailed breakdown regarding the Python library Parsy: https://lukeplant.me.uk/blog/posts/python-type-hints-parsy-case-study/ https://lukeplant.me.uk/blog/posts/python-type-hints-parsy-c... This is not to make the general claim "Typing is a hindrance in parsing applications", or anything close. It's saying "the current static type system(s) available in Python would have made this Python library much worse".
arcturus17 4y ago
I’m also part of the Python community and I use typing extensively. I find them useful for app development but also in scripting. There must be at least be a good dozen of us seeing the popularity of mypy, pyright and the fact that the language designers saw fit to add them, too.

by pdonis 4y ago

zerodensity 4y ago

Could you give an example of a type of application where typing is a hindrance?

randomluck040 4y ago
Not a hindrance but I work with image data a lot. Usually what comes in is any kind of Numpy array and what comes out at the end is either statistics or a Numpy array. I try to type hint everywhere I can but I feel stupid doing so because all I do is work with arrays. Maybe I’m not proficient/knowledgeable enough though so take it with a grain of salt.
- zerodensity 4y ago
  If it's truly "any" kind of Numpy array typing won't help much there I agree. But often it can be helpful to know the shape of the input and the shape of the output. Eg are we working with a 2D,3D or ND array. Before 3.11 it was not simple (possible?) To type this. But https://peps.python.org/pep-0646/ https://peps.python.org/pep-0646/ makes it possible. If somewhat clunky on the definition side.
spookylukey 4y ago
I did a fairly detailed breakdown regarding the Python library Parsy: https://lukeplant.me.uk/blog/posts/python-type-hints-parsy-case-study/ https://lukeplant.me.uk/blog/posts/python-type-hints-parsy-c... This is not to make the general claim "Typing is a hindrance in parsing applications", or anything close. It's saying "the current static type system(s) available in Python would have made this Python library much worse".

arcturus17 4y ago

I’m also part of the Python community and I use typing extensively. I find them useful for app development but also in scripting. There must be at least be a good dozen of us seeing the popularity of mypy, pyright and the fact that the language designers saw fit to add them, too.