ChemPython.org

Why use Python?

• clean syntax is easy to learn and to maintain
• supports all common integration strategies from one language
  (CORBA, COM, XML/RPC, SOAP, SQL, Java, HTTP, unix sockets, pipes, and shell scripts)
• excellent cross-platform consistency
• a proven open-source platform
• native object-orientation
• broad standard module library
• Python APIs are much more flexible than protocol standards, and require less end-user effort to access.

Why use Python as an end-user?

• quite accessible to novices, including bench scientists
• enables rapid combination of existing tools in novel ways
• permits complex tasks which no GUI could ever support

Why use Python as a commercial software provider?

• no restrictions on commercial use of Python
• eliminates the expense of creating your own scripting language
• minimizes end-user training issues
• focuses your efforts on developing proprietary functionality

Why use Python as a developer instead of Perl?

• Python code is more maintainable than Perl
  • Syntax is explicit, legible, and transparent
  • Usually only one idiom for performing common tasks
• Data structures are simpler and more powerful
• Native OOP support
• Automated, minimal recompilation saves development time
• Better performance on compute-intensive tasks.
• Efficient extensions for numeric operations.

Why use Python as an open-source developer?

• open-source platform suitable for open-source projects
• can tap a wide variety of existing open-source resources

Why use Python as a consultant?

• can rapidly develop stable, highly customized solutions
• minimizes the effects of heterogenous customer environments
• permissive licensing

How can I learn about Python?

See www.python.org.