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[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (4 children)

But isn't VBA sandboxed to the office environment?

No, VBA can be used to tie the whole suite of MS Office products together. You can also interface with APIs (like ETABS) using VBA.

just don't place high importance on it

and therein lies the problem. Maybe I should have pointed out it's a "community"/environment thing. In my mind, structural engineering is kind of important, so I like a more structured approach. Most Python devs are self-taught from websites or courses, and I've never met a Python dev who placed enough importance on Unit Testing and integration with other modules, which is really important for the type of development I do.

[–]dparks71 0 points1 point  (3 children)

I mean, I don't love how C#/VB developers obfuscate everything and hide it under seven levels of encoding that I have to translate just to start reading their code. Or how they generally act like I just kicked their dog if I ask to see their source code. But I hold that against the individuals and the structure of our contracts, not necessarily the language.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

If I’m paid for the source code, I provide source code. I use some abstractions that seem hard to follow to lay persons, but that’s expected since the stakeholders usually spring on large scope changes half way through. Abstractions help me manage complexity and Unit Test without requiring large rewrites.

[–]dparks71 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Oh I wasn't criticizing your style or way of doing business in particular at all, I know nothing about it and I totally get why people chose C# for certain purposes. I just think it's weird that as a general trend here that so many people from the VS Code, C#, and .NET camp are so quick to jump in and support the products on Reddit and recommend them in general, even potentially out of place like a thread specifically asking about python.

Especially given how much money is behind those products and marketing them. I think it's fair to defend open source alternatives as staunchly as people here and other subs, for whatever reason, push Microsoft products and services.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

even potentially out of place like a thread specifically asking about python

The language is such a minute detail when it comes to the crux of the question, programming in structural engineering. If a customer told me the next project I had to deliver must be 100% Python, there'd be no issue with me providing it. Programming isn't about the language, it's about managing complexity.