5 ms·

Why is Python listed there and not other languages like Ruby, Javascript or Perl?

czbond 3y ago
Commenting bc I had the same question. My impression of historical Python is that is an old, partially arcane language that due to D.S/AI is now popular; I would initially think it would be no better than those other interpreted. Python does these things well... mainly due to pandas/dataframes/polars. <btw, Perl? ;) >
- kelipso 3y ago
  Language wise, Python is basically just Perl with its arms cut off and bunch of makeup added. It's just very popular in the scientific community, so they have to add it.
  - ctenb 3y ago
    Python does not have a lot in common with Perl language-wise, so this seems an odd statement.
    - kelipso 3y ago
      Python was based off Perl, so yes it does have a lot in common with Perl.
      - biorach 3y ago
        Nope. That's not at all accurate.
      - gitaarik 3y ago
        How did you get that idea?
  - VerminOctopus1 3y ago
    I don’t know how you can possibly come away with this conclusion after studying both languages. Maybe if your point of reference is an ancient version of Python?
    - kelipso 3y ago
      Yes it is and current Python is basically just an object oriented system hacked on top of ancient Python. The underlying elements beneath the syntax is basically all the same.
- andromeduck 3y ago
  Python replaced Matlab too.
  - gsuuon 3y ago
    I think the familiarity when moving from Matlab to Python helps a lot with adoption.
cultureswitch 3y ago
I would bet it's more unsafe to use Perl than C, on average.
mminer237 3y ago
Python is far more popular than the other two for non-web development.
Alifatisk 3y ago
I don't think Ruby is used a lot at NSA, other than that, it's weird that it did not get mentioned. They should've instead just said Python and languages alike?
- phkahler 3y ago
  No offense to Ruby, but if I were going to push people to change to a new language I would not recommend Ruby. It had its time of popularity and I feel like it's just a niche language now, surpassed by others.
  - MobiusHorizons 3y ago
    From a memory safety perspective, I would say the same about python. The libraries that make it popular are all written in c++ to my knowledge. Anyone not already using python usually has better tools to choose from these days.
  - Alifatisk 3y ago
    > if I were going to push people to change to a new language I would not recommend Ruby None of the alternatives except Go and Swift is new. Ruby has turned into a robust boring technology, it does not mean it’s unworthy. The Ruby team is still pushing the languages features and speeding up the runtime. Take a look at Ruby Ractors for example. I do have to agree on that Ruby is more of a niche language now thanks to Rails but I’d say Ruby works very well for scripting and gluing together different systems.
RhodesianHunter 3y ago
Because Python is widely used on the backend?
odyssey7 3y ago
It’s the only scripting language listed — I suspect scripting languages weren’t the focus, but that it got special consideration and added to the list to not place the AI/ML R&D communities in an awkward spot. Of course they should move to something besides Python, but network effects give Python powerful inertia, and AI/ML is a strategic area.

Commenting bc I had the same question. My impression of historical Python is that is an old, partially arcane language that due to D.S/AI is now popular; I would initially think it would be no better than those other interpreted. Python does these things well... mainly due to pandas/dataframes/polars. <btw, Perl? ;) >

kelipso 3y ago
Language wise, Python is basically just Perl with its arms cut off and bunch of makeup added. It's just very popular in the scientific community, so they have to add it.
- ctenb 3y ago
  Python does not have a lot in common with Perl language-wise, so this seems an odd statement.
  - kelipso 3y ago
    Python was based off Perl, so yes it does have a lot in common with Perl.
    - biorach 3y ago
      Nope. That's not at all accurate.
    - gitaarik 3y ago
      How did you get that idea?
- VerminOctopus1 3y ago
  I don’t know how you can possibly come away with this conclusion after studying both languages. Maybe if your point of reference is an ancient version of Python?
  - kelipso 3y ago
    Yes it is and current Python is basically just an object oriented system hacked on top of ancient Python. The underlying elements beneath the syntax is basically all the same.
andromeduck 3y ago
Python replaced Matlab too.
- gsuuon 3y ago
  I think the familiarity when moving from Matlab to Python helps a lot with adoption.

cultureswitch 3y ago

I would bet it's more unsafe to use Perl than C, on average.

mminer237 3y ago

Python is far more popular than the other two for non-web development.

Alifatisk 3y ago

I don't think Ruby is used a lot at NSA, other than that, it's weird that it did not get mentioned. They should've instead just said Python and languages alike?

phkahler 3y ago
No offense to Ruby, but if I were going to push people to change to a new language I would not recommend Ruby. It had its time of popularity and I feel like it's just a niche language now, surpassed by others.
- MobiusHorizons 3y ago
  From a memory safety perspective, I would say the same about python. The libraries that make it popular are all written in c++ to my knowledge. Anyone not already using python usually has better tools to choose from these days.
- Alifatisk 3y ago
  > if I were going to push people to change to a new language I would not recommend Ruby None of the alternatives except Go and Swift is new. Ruby has turned into a robust boring technology, it does not mean it’s unworthy. The Ruby team is still pushing the languages features and speeding up the runtime. Take a look at Ruby Ractors for example. I do have to agree on that Ruby is more of a niche language now thanks to Rails but I’d say Ruby works very well for scripting and gluing together different systems.

RhodesianHunter 3y ago

Because Python is widely used on the backend?

odyssey7 3y ago

It’s the only scripting language listed — I suspect scripting languages weren’t the focus, but that it got special consideration and added to the list to not place the AI/ML R&D communities in an awkward spot. Of course they should move to something besides Python, but network effects give Python powerful inertia, and AI/ML is a strategic area.