I am tring to decide on what to concentrate my efforts on as a programming language. I want to do both command line and wxwidgets stuff for GUI. It seems if I want to do this I must know C++ over C...What are your ideas on learning Python 'instead'?

I just want different thoughts on postivies and negatives of C/C++ vs. Python. I have heard Python is kinda limited for Object oriented stuff, is this true?

Thanks.

If you're making stuff for your own use, Python has the advantage with it's easier syntax.

The easier it is to write, the quicker personal stuff can be dealt with.

Also, OOP might be overkill for many programs, including those with widgets and such.

I think Python is much easier to get started with, especially for beginning GUI development. Python uses untyped variables, which generally means fewer compilation/execution errors, but it can also lead to problems with maintaining your code; you have to keep in mind what data type all of your variables are, because Python doesn't remind you.

Learning C/C++, on the other hand, would probably give you a better foundation in programming concepts, and better equip you to deal with problems. C++ is more strongly typed than C (meaning the compiler will usually complain if you try to use an int in place of a char), but overall both are pretty weakly typed, which can be both a blessing and curse.

If efficiency is a concern, C/C++ might be a better route, but I would guess for most small- to moderate-sized projects (GUI included), Python would be fast enough.

I'm biased towards OOP, but I know many programmers dislike it (especially C++'s implementation of it). It can be a hindrance to experienced programmers, but I think OOP concepts are easier to learn and apply than strictly functional concepts.

In short, I'd recommend a little of both: learn some of the basics in C/C++ first, to give you a better understanding, then move to Python. Learning Python is a breeze once you know C++, but doing it the other way around might be confusing.

Hi servnov, I was in a similar situation while in college. I was learning all these languages and frameworks and wanted to do some coding on the side for fun. To keep a long story short, almost all of the code I've written in the past month or so has been in Python.

Python is a great language, it has a clean syntax, lots of great libraries and is just fun to program with. For me the main decision in picking Python for my own projects comes down to productivity. I've tried a ton of languages, including C and C++ and while I love both of the later for their own reasons, I found Python to have the shortest "idea to code" transition.

It' simple, I've got an idea, I start up Python and within minutes I've got something going. To me that transition is everything and Python has allowed me to concentrate on the actual coding challenge rather than struggle with the actual language or framework.

Anyway, if you want more info let me know. If you haven't done so, I recommend going through a few tutorials and see if you like Python hands on.

Like C++, Python is a multi paradagm programming language. Meaning you can program in many different styles. OOP is just one of the options you have in Python, but if you don't need it (or like it/want it) then you don't have to use it.