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If Python in a spreadsheet is what you want, you might like Grist: https://www.getgrist.com/ https://www.getgrist.com/ Disclaimer: I work there. I'm trying to

If Python in a spreadsheet is what you want, you might like Grist: https://www.getgrist.com/ https://www.getgrist.com/ Disclaimer: I work there. I'm trying to make it easier to self-host. Send me github issues or pull requests if you have ways of making it better. :)

deleted 2y ago
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abdullahkhalids 2y ago
I have been meaning to use Grist for an educational org I volunteer for - mainly to manage student data. We would definitely self-host, and it is great that there is already a Class Enrollment template. Your self-hosting docs [1] seem pretty straightforward. However, * I am annoyed that the the app requires providing inputs through command line args or environment variables rather than a fixed config file that I can store in git. * Some directions on creating a service that starts the app on server restart etc would be good. [1] https://support.getgrist.com/self-managed/ https://support.getgrist.com/self-managed/
- jordigh 2y ago
  Thank you. I've been struggling with a good story for configuration. I'm not entirely satisfied either with using environment variables for everything. Using Docker, you can just put your env-vars in a file and execute Docker with --env-file specifying where your configuration is, which is what I currently do, but perhaps a .env file would be more standard and comfortable.
  - abdullahkhalids 2y ago
    Let me put it this way. Your app has wide possible usage, including a lot of casual usages, by relatively non-technical users. Like small businesses or clubs etc, as your templates show. Spreadsheets run the world, and grist is turbo spreadsheets. If you want those people to use your software, you should make it as easy as possible to install it. Think of a tech-minded teenager helping their dad set up grist to track inventory for their corner store. How can you help them install the software in a couple of hours?
slightwinder 2y ago
Grist is not really a spreadsheet, it's a row-orientated database-system. Quite different in usage.
- jordigh 2y ago
  It is intended to replace spreadsheet use, and the database columnar restrictions are intentional. Moreover, since it's using sqlite in the backend for the database, cells are allowed to hold the wrong type (and big, red warning colours light up when this happens). This is a sqlite characteristic. So while it mostly does enforce database-like behaviour, it also allows spreadsheet-like lax behaviour. It really is a mixture of database and spreadsheet.
guestbest 2y ago
How does this compare to using something like visual foxpro?

deleted 2y ago

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abdullahkhalids 2y ago

I have been meaning to use Grist for an educational org I volunteer for - mainly to manage student data. We would definitely self-host, and it is great that there is already a Class Enrollment template. Your self-hosting docs [1] seem pretty straightforward. However, * I am annoyed that the the app requires providing inputs through command line args or environment variables rather than a fixed config file that I can store in git. * Some directions on creating a service that starts the app on server restart etc would be good. [1] https://support.getgrist.com/self-managed/ https://support.getgrist.com/self-managed/

jordigh 2y ago
Thank you. I've been struggling with a good story for configuration. I'm not entirely satisfied either with using environment variables for everything. Using Docker, you can just put your env-vars in a file and execute Docker with --env-file specifying where your configuration is, which is what I currently do, but perhaps a .env file would be more standard and comfortable.
- abdullahkhalids 2y ago
  Let me put it this way. Your app has wide possible usage, including a lot of casual usages, by relatively non-technical users. Like small businesses or clubs etc, as your templates show. Spreadsheets run the world, and grist is turbo spreadsheets. If you want those people to use your software, you should make it as easy as possible to install it. Think of a tech-minded teenager helping their dad set up grist to track inventory for their corner store. How can you help them install the software in a couple of hours?

slightwinder 2y ago

Grist is not really a spreadsheet, it's a row-orientated database-system. Quite different in usage.

jordigh 2y ago
It is intended to replace spreadsheet use, and the database columnar restrictions are intentional. Moreover, since it's using sqlite in the backend for the database, cells are allowed to hold the wrong type (and big, red warning colours light up when this happens). This is a sqlite characteristic. So while it mostly does enforce database-like behaviour, it also allows spreadsheet-like lax behaviour. It really is a mixture of database and spreadsheet.

guestbest 2y ago

How does this compare to using something like visual foxpro?