Nah, I would love people to use Python -- just to help improve it as well (either through libraries, alternative languages or submitting changes through official channels.)
Saying I am "self aggrandising" is disingenuous and misleading at best.
... Yeah, that's gnarly. :D
That is emulating `let` using lambdas, though, and not mutable assignment. Still useful if you really want to nest them, but still immutable.
>I know he won't be able, his talk is of ignorance and provocation.
Says the person missing that it's an opinionated list, lol.
It was more meant to provoke discussion, not hurt feelings (like your obviously seem to be).
I never considered it harsh. If anything, it should be a testament to how nice Python is -- if I /didn't/ like it, I would have a much, much longer list of complaints!
People seem to be missing that sentiment -- I do love Python and use it almost daily. This is merely a list of thorns I run into frequently.
>Regarding the FP comments, since it lacks TCO, my take away has always been that Python can only ever become a quasi-functional language. Its hard to be more than that in its current state.
I mean, it could always encourage playing with functions more -- and importantly, providing an stdlib that encourages that.
>These questions made me want to ask you - what languages do you think are better in comparison?
That is a somewhat loaded question: my counter question would be, "In what regards?"
I cannot say a certain language is better than Python in every or most circumstances, but I can in regards to specific points/features, if you'd like to elaborate.
>Contrast a Python list with a NumPy array. To achieve speedier loops and vectorized arithmetic [0], the array gives up dynamic typing and dynamic sizing. In most applications, I would gladly give up some compute speed to gain some programming productivity.
Except numpy arrays have a much richer interface and can still store dynamic objects (dtype=object). So what's your point?
>I love duck-typing
So do I. Where does this come from? I don't believe I ever considered it a contra.
Nah, just people connecting that sentiment with other statements. It should be cleared up since it's causing some mass confusion.
It's funny because I preface it by saying "Remember that it's a matter of opinion" (and, well, the title alone) and people come out of the woodwork completely disregarding this, or outright misinterpreting sections of it.
I maintain that a large reader base here does not actually... read.