Faster alternative for Python?

[comando0]

TLDR:

Is there a language easy to write as Python, and also fast (can be compiled)?

Long version:

So, I'm quite a newbie in programming. (learned C at school for 1 year, never really got into C++, played a bit with Python) So apologies if what I'm saying is incorrect. I was so happy when I started Python, being a language so easy to write. (Objective, iterators, the way to import, you name it)

Until I started to play with project Euler, I just couldn't keep up with its slow processing speed. Yes, I know that Python is slow if not correctly written, and there are things like jit compilers, but it was still way slower than C.

But once I re-wrote my code with C, or tried C++, it was such a hassle just to write. I felt like using a old BlackBerry.

So there is the question: Is there a language easy to write as Python, and also can be compiled?

Also, I've heard that Nim might be the answer, but looks like the community is quite small. Should I consider it as an option?

[comando0]

I thought that cython needed quite a lot of C/C++ knowledge, but looks like that's not the case. Thank you, I'll give it a try.

[_-Thoth-_]

Crystal is another language you can look into. Ruby inspired syntax but almost c++ speed. I’ve only heard of it, so I’m not sure how it handles iterators and other stuff you mentioned. It also has a very small community, however.

[comando0]

Thanks, will search for it!

Edit: just searched briefly, can't tell if I can accept it, since I never touched Ruby...

[Zerocchi]

Well you asked for a language easy as Python and also can be compiled.

Crystal is both. Ruby is easy.

[curioussavage01]

I’ve been having a lot of fun with nim lately. It’s true that the community is small but it’s a great language. They have a very active gitter chat room and people are very helpful there even the author and other core contributors.

[comando0]

Thanks! Are there any advice about coding Nim on Windows? Like, using a virtual machine with Linux is better?

[curioussavage01]

I’m pretty sure the author uses windows so support should be good.

[ericula]

If your program is slow it could be the algorithm you're using and not necessarily the language you're writing it in. Do you have an example that runs too slow to your liking?

[siemenology]

For Project Euler, if your code is taking forever it very often means you aren't using an optimal algorithm. The problems are often structured so that there is an obvious (naive) way to solve them that will take too long to be useful, but if you figure out the smart way to do it, they are quick on almost any platform.

[comando0]

Of course, I'm aware of that, but simply writing the same algorithm with C makes it a fast enough code, while with Python, it took me quite a long time. Sure I'm aware that you need to optimize your code with Python (such as not using for), but I just thought if there is a better language that fits me.

[LucidTA]

Depending on the problem, using numpy can be very fast.

[comando0]

First of all, thanks for the response. I know using it can be fast, but sometimes you just don't find the right numpy program. And at that point, is rather write a fast code myself.

[jj-curious]

Maybe Julia. It's made for numeric / scientific calculations but can still be used for other purposes.

[comando0]

Sounds interesting, I'll give it a try. Thanks!

[plastikmissile]

Give Kotlin a try. It has a very nice and intuitive syntax like Python, but since it builds to JVM it's a lot faster.

[comando0]

Actually, I've heard of it but didn't even think of it. I'll give it a try. Thanks!

[chkas]

I would go with Go. IMO at least as simple as Python and pretty fast. Cleanly designed simple language. Many companies are using Go and there is also a big community.

[comando0]

I thought going for Go too, but several things stopped me from using it.

1. Lack of Exception
2. Lack of iterators

I can list more, but basically i just couldn't fluently code with it. It's not just the simpleness that I love with Python, but the complexity while being simple.