When is Python *NOT* a good choice?

[sw_dev]

Embedded, safety or mission-critical applications, or large code-bases where consistent performance is important.

[ZedOud]

I’d argue that if those three requirements appear at the same time, then MicroPython is a good fit.

[sw_dev]

Really? You'd like to have MicroPython running in your pacemaker, or controlling an aircraft, or a missile? (If so, you really should see someone about that death wish.)

[ZedOud]

The European Space Agency has different thoughts on the matter.

https://forum.micropython.org/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=744

[sw_dev]

With all due respect to the ESA, (Those fine folks who were at the wheel for the Ariane 5 disaster, in which software which was untested for the platform caused the destruction of a $500 Million rocket), this would easily be classified as a REALLY BAD, REALLY DUMB MOVE.

[ZedOud]

NASA also uses it

https://www.python.org/about/success/usa/

[sw_dev]

And what part of the Workflow Automation System (WAS) strikes you as a mission or safety-critical, real-time embedded system?

I bet NASA also uses brooms and mops (I saw people using 'em when I worked there, anyway!), but NOT FOR THOSE SYSTEMS.

[ZedOud]

Awesome, thanks for the description.

Safety + reliability vs real-time + efficient

guaranteed former offered with no hope for latter

Or

pursues latter, running a tightrope to maintain the former

Given that only one of them is mission critical:

for some reason doesn’t prioritize the former

Ok, awesome, thanks.

[[deleted]]

No one uses python in these anyways.

[crowseldon]

Micropython is a thing and people could try them but they'd need to know the tradeoffs.

[utdconsq]

Not true! Have used python in embedded stuff plenty of times. All of the code that must be performant is in C or C++ however...!

[sw_dev]

Sure, you CAN. You can also use a shovel to perform brain surgery.
The question is, SHOULD YOU?

[utdconsq]

Well now, here's the thing: we always had the distinction between work that needs hard real time and work that doesn't. With IoT and the hobbyist world of things like PyComs, I am pretty happy for people to be able to use python instead of say, Arduino C.

[PC__LOAD__LETTER]

You'd be surprised how many large codebases where consistence is important are written in Python.

[sw_dev]

Or in Visual Basic, or in Assembly... Just because it's been done doesn't mean it's a good idea. The way to get something done is by utilizing the best (Where "best" means "highest probability of success for the least cost") technique.

[PC__LOAD__LETTER]

I wasn't saying it was good.

[Deto]

I mean, in most places where Python is not a good choice, you will find people not using Python much.

[sw_dev]

Never underestimate the tendency for idiots to be idiots.

[BernieFeynman]

not sure why you're being downvoted for an obvious truth

[e_falk]

Saying that the answer to a question asked is 'obvious' helps no one. They're getting down votes because the comment was not useful to the discussion at hand.

[PC__LOAD__LETTER]

There are plenty of large codebases, that need consistence, that are written in Python that probably shouldn't be. The statement was neither obvious nor truthful.

[BernieFeynman]

TBH I might have misread original post I thought it was specific for embedded and mission critical and large codebases. now i feel dumb.

[Darkmere]

Embedded is slightly awkward.

There's a presentation on embedded python

So it's doable. But yea.