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I have a theory that one reason Python is gaining so much ground lately in scientific computing (over tools such as R) is because 1) it is literally almost imp
by danbmil99 13y ago
I have a theory that one reason Python is gaining so much ground lately in scientific computing (over tools such as R) is because
1) it is literally almost impossible to write unreadable code in Python,
2) most scientists are terrible programmers,
and
3) when a project matures, "real" programmers get involved, and the fact that the code is readable (and therefore amenable to maintenance and extension) vastly increases the chances that the project will succeed.
- cryoshon 13y agoI'm a scientist and also a terrible programmer. What's your hypothesis on why this is the case?
- delluminatus 13y agoIt's simply because most people are terrible programmers, except for programmers.
- danbmil99 13y agoScientists know how smart they are, and assume that programming is mainly about being smart. But it's not -- it's much more of a learned skill to become a really good programmer. It's something you have to focus on and respect as a goal in and of itself, not just something any smart person can muddle through on logic and intuition.
- walshemj 13y agoor 4 that they can't hack Fortan