Talk
C & C++ vs. Python: The Rise of Scripting Languages
Peter McLaughlin
47:02
Python is the world's fastest growing programming language. It has become the most popular introductory teaching language for computer science courses and the number of Google searches for Python has trebled since 2010. Python's versatility has led to its adoption in web applications, desktop applications, data analytics, and artificial intelligence. In the Embedded System space, however, more than 70% of new systems are programmed in C with C++ strongly positioned as number two. Given the explosive growth of scripting languages such as Python, hiring C/C++ developers is becoming increasingly difficult. In this session, Peter McLaughlin will explore the pros and cons of scripting languages versus compiled languages in the embedded system space. Topics to be covered include: hardware constraints, library support, coding efficiency, readability, robustness, and real-time capability. Real-life examples of Python usage in Embedded Systems will be examined and future trends will be considered. Attendees will walk away armed with information to help them get started with Python and apply it in their next project.
1 / 5
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According to Peter, what is the key difference between how Python and C/C++ handle types?
A
Python variables are statically typed at declaration time just like in C/C++.
B
In Python the objects themselves have no type; types are only attached to variable names.
C
Python performs static type checking at build time because it compiles to bytecode.
D
Python uses dynamically typed references (variable names have no fixed type) while the objects themselves have types that are checked at runtime.
E
Python automatically coerces mismatched types (for example, 1 + '2') so you rarely see type errors.
nwaters
Score: 1 | 4 years ago | no reply
LeroyL
Score: 0 | 4 years ago | no reply
Nice intro to Python for embedded
Stephane.Boucher
Score: 0 | 4 years ago | no reply
Peter isn't available today for a live Q&A. Please use this forum to post your questions and comments and Peter should be able to respond fairly soon. Thanks!











Great presentation. I really appreciated that this was an introduction to python tailored for folks with a C/C++ background. This helped solidify some fundamentals for me.