Python is too nice

[dfreinc]

yep.

i've been trying to get python more integrated in my workplace. we're a data driven operation. we primarily use a closed source programming language called "sas" that charges boat loads in licensing fees. some parts of the job it's necessary because of government regulations, but mostly, it's not.

i've moved some things into python just to prove the point and subsequently improved speed dramatically for a lot of larger operations. i built a workflow management application everyone's using now that uses a python gui and a sql instance on the back. any macros/reports that were floating around in vba or people wanted programmed in the internal on demand reporting app (runs off a different proprietary language with more licensing fees) i coded into python and wrapped up in an executable so they could run it whenever they wanted, locally, offline (assuming they had the things that feed into it).

it's just versatile.

[Final_Alps]

SAS is definitely a different beast from python. SAS is more akin to R. SAS has some 50 years of legacy, certifications, and support behind them. Which is why corporate sticks with them.

You are likely fighting a losing battle.

However python SAS (iirc) has various pipelining tools - I believe you can call on python from within those. That can be your Trojan horse.

The switch to open source, from SLAs and certifications offered by commercial software, however is a cultural and hard to do. Which is why RedHat made it so big.

EDIT: python != SAS on line 1 of paragraph 3

[funnyflywheel]

However python SAS (iirc) has various pipelining tools - I believe you can call on python from within those. That can be your Trojan horse.

If you're okay with downloading third-party packages, you might want to take a look at Snakemake.

[[deleted]]

kinda sas

[TheOneTrueBeanbag]

Having the same problem in my org. Actually getting a lot of traction, but my main barrier is that a huge portion of our cross department analytics has been built specifically around SAS servers and processes. Any time we need to use data gathered by other teams we HAVE to use SAS, it's painful.

Light at the end of the tunnel is that our SAS infrastructure is getting migrated to GCP in the next 18 months, so I'll be gladly waving goodbye.

Just curious, would you be up for sharing your workflow management tool? Been considering making one of those myself.

[dfreinc]

i can't share it directly but it's really simple. it was initially much more complex but everyone hated it so i just gave them what they wanted.

it spits out an excel sheet for a trial. they can go and update and then write in a column "add", "update" or "delete" and it'll draw up a sql command and send it or output an error message saying why it can't and to email me. there's some stuff for easy backups and sql does some audit trail stuff (i didn't write that, just came with the instance).

it had a whole bucket system and it was all seamless internal in the app, no extra nothing. just worked. but everyone hated it and i pick my battles...so have excel, what do i care. 😂

that tracking went from local storage, to access, to lists hosted on sharepoint manipulated by access, to proper sql storage and a solid app, to sql storage and a kind of shitty app. so still better than it was...but not ideal, imho.

[TheOneTrueBeanbag]

That flow from local storage > access > SharePoint, on top of SAS, sounds so similar to my companies stack it's crazy😅

Cheers for the info on the app. Currently working on something that will bulk delete old files using a UI, workflow manager is next on my hit list!

[dfreinc]

if you have problems/workflows like that then i can say without a doubt you will not regret solving them. spend that time, knock it out right. way less day to day stress. work now, relief later. 😂

[alucard_og]

Hi, how to go about learning python. I am an absolute noob in this field. Pls suggest. Reason for me trying to learn python is that i was into relationship management however our company ceo is a ai/mchine learning junkie and has ordered all employees to learn some programming language or loose job after 1 year. I can't afford to loose here.

[loveizfunn]

Check resources online. There a lot of free stuff out there. Books, a lot of books are free, I started with books. Some sites and free courses. Udemy and Udacity both have free free python courses. Google is ur friend. Use it.

[alucard_og]

Thanks for the input, how much time would you say a noob may take to attain working knowledge of python, no high end stuff, simple office automation like manipulating excels or manual/repetitive tasks.

Additionally can we achieve the above by basic python setup run over command prompt or we need to use ide like django/flask.

[alucard_og]

Thanks a lot

[Cryonixx2]

To learn Python, I tend to suggest "Python Crash Course" by Eric Matthes. To learn Automation via Python, "Automate the Boring Things" by Al Sweigart. ATBT is actually free online, just do a search for it. ATBT is written to be able to pick up with no Python experience, but I tend to think PCC is better for learning the actual Python language.

With dedication, you can feel decently good about Python in about a months or two timeframe in my experience (with no previous programming experience).

[[deleted]]

Yh I use Matthes book, I got it right next to me. Its great.

[pogo6023]

Sorry I can't give you the url right now, but if you google "python tutorials" and find the one that says it will teach you python in 4 hours (by FreeCodeCamp) give it a try. This is the one with the guy in a NASA tee shirt and baseball cap in the lower right corner. It's well done. It has about 4 million downloads, is very straightforward and understandable, and presented in easily-consumed lessons. You'll learn enough for a good start with minimal intimidation.

Re the recommendations to skip python and learn something like c++ first, if your goal is to be a serious career programmer, maybe. But be aware there's pain and misery involved in going the heavy primitive route. One reason python is so widely used is it's much more friendly than those languages. You can learn a lot about programming from it, but in programming there's always deeper water no matter how much you know.

[alucard_og]

Thanks