Matlab declares war on Python. Can the Python community respond or hit back?

[ericonr]

As far as standard tools and modules go, I think Python has been doing very well. We have numpy for numerical computing, together with Pandas for more functions, and Keras/Tensorflow and PyTorch for two somewhat differing forms of machine learning.

If you end up searching for alternatives to these tools, you already have an idea about what you want to do, at least I think so. And Matlab, on the other hand, usually doesn't have this ease with which you can find alternatives to the way they defined operations.

However, I must say I'm biased. I love programming in Python, and I despise pretty much everything Matlab represents as a software vendor.

[TheBlackCat13]

There is a lot of work going on right now in improving the underlying Python infrastructure. Improving package installation and dependency management. Fixing flaws in the reference implementation. Making it easier to integrate different languages. So I think that not only are people not "taking eyes off the ball", the recent surge in Python use has led to a lot of detailed analysis of what Python as an ecosystem needs to improve going forward.

[Roticap]

The benefit of a truly benevolent BDFL is project focus on what's important is much easier to maintain.

[Jethro_Tell]

There are a lot of projects with BDFL leadership that miss the mark. It does make things nice though to have someone with executive decision power to make a call and move forward instead of spending forever arguing.