[Translation] 25 year old Python
This article is a translation of an article written by Bennie Mols (@Bennie Mols) on February 24, 2015.
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- Thanks to @uasi for fixing the mistranslation!
25 year old python
By Bennie Mols February 24, 2015
It's been 25 years since I developed Python. Guido van Rossum is still looking for a programming language that is "easy to learn, easy to use, and very interactive."
Credits: Bennie Mols
Over the years, Python has become one of the top 10 languages in the world. Dropbox, Google, Mozilla And Walt Disney Companies like Animation Studios have a lot of Python users. In addition, research institutes such as NASA (http://www.nasa.gov/) and CERN (European Nuclear Research Organization) Universities and banks also have many users.
Guido van Rossum, a Dutch software engineer, said in 1990 when he was working at the Dutch National Institute of Information and Mathematics (CWI) in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. I made a programming language. He named the programming language from the British comedy series Monty Python's Flying.
In 1995, van Rossum emigrated from the Netherlands to the United States. In the United States, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Corporation for National Research Initiatives (CNRI) /)), worked as a software engineer at Google. He has been working on the cloud service Dropbox in San Francisco since December 2012. Received the Free Software Foundation's Advancement of Free Software Award in 2001 and was approved by ACM as a Distinguished Engineer in 2006. received.
The author visited his home in van Rossum in Belmont, California. There, I spent two hours discussing Python development and my passion for software engineering.
How do you describe the success of Python?
Python is easy to learn and use, and works very interactively. Computer programmers can get new execution results very quickly. It is also a great tool for scientists who work interactively with data. Python was used from the early days, before the concept of "open source" was invented, but it is very important that it is used according to the open source philosophy. Python users feel they are part of the community and are very willing to make improvements.
The Python user community has given you the title of "Benevolent Dictator". Does that mean it's up to you to make the final decision on Python changes?
The term is a kind of humor that comes from Monty Python, and of course it's a joke. In the reality of Python, I really have very little power. I'm enthusiastic about language discussions, but basically I'm just sitting in front of my computer and sending emails. So that's all I can do. I'm just persuasive. I can only make decisions if there are changes to the Python syntax.
What are you most proud of?
I developed a computer language and it's still successful 25 years later. Recently, I went back to the Python version, the first international release in 1991. It's very similar to Python today. The basic idea is still the same. Of course, many things have been added over the years thanks to active open source development. I always really enjoy interacting with other programmers trying to solve programming problems together.
Now you work for Dropbox, a young company with many young programmers. How about interacting with the new generation there?
I love developing software with my young and talented programmers. I'm still learning software development and how to solve problems. But sometimes I feel like a representative of an older generation. I have many years of experience and I rarely can share that experience with anyone on Dropbox.
Some of my experience has become less important. For example, I still remember how to use punched card machines in the 70's.
On the other hand, some other experiences are added value. Sometimes I can say, "This is a problem I struggled with 30 years ago." I have a broad view of programming.
The number of bugs per 1000 lines of code hasn't dropped for decades. Moreover, the ideal number of software development teams has not changed. To add a little bit, it depends strictly on what you are trying to develop. Let's say this is between 5 and 20 people.
Software is becoming more important than ever in our world. How do you see the status of software today?
I can't speak in general. Let's talk only about a specific application.
I understand. Take an autonomous car as an example.
In the near future, there will be more things that cars can do more autonomously, from driving in the same lane to parking. However, a completely autonomous car that can take you anywhere like a taxi is still far away. There are many situations where self-driving cars can't handle well. And that doesn't really come up. Humans are still far superior when it comes to interpreting what we see, especially what we see. Computer vision needs to overcome many problems, such as changing light conditions. I would prefer a car that will help me where it is needed, rather than a car that will take care of everything.
You live and work in Silicon Valley. Do you already see the next big thing?
How about, I don't have much foresight. To give you an example, the invention of the World Wide Web in 1991 completely surprised me. But I strongly believe that software will become more part of us like humans. You can do most of the things unknowingly when you drive or ride a bicycle. So that vehicle is part of you. The same is true for mobile phones. The tip of the software, which has become an integral part of us, is undoubtedly invisible.
_ ** Bennie Mols is a science and technology writer based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. ** _
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