AmigaOS 4.0 to include Python?

[bhoggett]

According to Irmen de Jong, the AmigaPython website maintainer, the Python programming language may be included as standard with AmigaOS 4.0.

From the AmigaPython site:

"UPDATE november 2002: from very reliable sources I know that AmigaPython might become part of the new Amiga OS 4.0 ! What AREXX was for AmigaDOS 2.x and 3.x, AmigaPython might be for the next generation of Amiga OS (and much more powerful of course)"

Further information about Python is available at the Python Home Page.

[catohagen]

I guess thats good and exellent news

does this means prexx is out/not included ?

[Oli_hd]

Hi,

What AREXX was for AmigaDOS 2.x and 3.x, AmigaPython might be for the next generation of Amiga OS

I hope they dont get rid of AREXX (I bet they wont) as I use that and can sort of program in it (load a program, print text, erm,, thats about it)..

Anyway AREXX forever!

[ikir]

Oli_hd wrote:
Anyway AREXX forever!

 :-D  :-D   Great AREXX  :-D  :-D

[blobrana]

Great ,that they hope to include Python, all free publicty for them!... :-D

And i`m sure that a module will be made ,that will support AREXX from within python ( whoops, was i the only one to spot that?

[bhoggett]

@Oli_hd

I hope they dont get rid of AREXX (I bet they wont) as I use that and can sort of program in it (load a program, print text, erm,, thats about it)..

I don't think they'll get rid of ARexx, but the question has to be:

(a) can they re-write it (PRexx?) as PPC native, and give it the chance to evolve beyond what it currently offers?

(b) does it make sense to stay with a relatively obscure scripting solution as default?

(c) will the SHEEP ever produce any wool? :-P

I think the best suggestion was made on ANN: provide low-level scripting hooks, which can then be accessed by modules from Perl/Python etc. That way, there is a choice of scripting languages allowing the user/programmer to choose the one best suited for the task at hand.

ARexx is dead.  :-o

[bhoggett]

@blobrana

And i`m sure that a module will be made ,that will support AREXX from within python ( whoops, was i the only one to spot that?

No. ;-)

AFAIK, the current (discontinued) port of Python to Amiga does support ARexx. I see no reason why this can't be done as an extension module for use with legacy apps.

[catohagen]

>ARexx is dead.

that statement is like a kick in the balls, man

arexx kicks ass!!

:-D

[ikir]

catohagen wrote:
>ARexx is dead.

that statement is like a kick in the balls, man

arexx kicks ass!!

:-D

 :-D  LOL  :-D

AREXX will be always in my amiga hearth :angry:

There could be several scripting languages included with OS4...at least I wouldn't mind.  :-)

[bhoggett]

OK, here's what Thomas Frieden had to say about it on the AmigaOS4 mailing list (*).

"We have actively thought about adopting Python, but there are no firm plans yet. We need to find a substitute for ARexx in the long run, and Python came up as an option,"

In a separate post by a different member of the Hyperion team it emerges that PRexx appears to no longer be an option. The advantages of Python over Perl and PHP  IN THIS CONTEXT are also discussed.

(*) Posted with Thomas' permission.

[Rogue]

The possibility of a low-level scripting interface was already discussed internally on our mailing lists some time ago. The idea was generally accepted as a good one, however, such a scripting interface needs to be carefully worked out, and for the time being we'll settle for emulated AREXX and possibly Python.

The real work will start for OS 4.1 on that.

Anyway, at the moment this is all speculative. We have some people that are in favor of Python; other prefer REBOL or PERL.

[CodeSmith]

To be quite honest I'd prefer most anything over Perl.  Either the language is inherently heinous or most Perl coders are the kind of people that write C that reads like "for (s=src,d=dst;*d++=*s++,*d;);".

90% of the Perl code I've seen looks like line noise (compared most Perl I've seen, that C monstrosity back there reads like Cobol).

Scripting languages are cool - l337 h4x0r toys are annoying.

[Meldon]

Be sure to make a difference between the ARexx port and the language in itself. One of the features of my Amiga that my friends are really envious of is the possibility to control most programs with a script and the possibilities to do whatever you feel like.

But, I can't say that I favour the language in itself. As soon as you have to do low level data manipulation (strings, &c), many other languages are more advantageous.

IMHO, the important thing is a solid interface to the port from the popular (and not so popular) languages.

[Nick]

AREXX is cool in theory, but getting to learn it is a bit of a pain. I find the AREXX book is a tad annoying. Its quite good at teaching you to make simple stand alone programs, but when it comes to making a script for DPaint 5 to send a picture to ImageFX for conversion to jpg, or something, its flawed. We do need a new and upto date way of doing this. Yes it needs to support AREXX as theres loads of cool stuff out there, but we need a new language. Somthing powerful and easy to code in. If novices can use it then the computer could be perceived as being more powerful.

If that makes sense WAHOO, cause I`m about to go to bed. :-)