Re: From Lua to Python?

[Javier Guerra Giraldez <javier@...>]

On 13 July 2017 at 10:44, Dibyendu Majumdar <mobile@majumdar.org.uk> wrote:
> I am not sure what has propelled Python to this spot - perhaps the
> adoption by Google several years ago.


I think part of the merit is in NumPY library.  it was well known in
number crunching before the "data science" moniker.  Since it removes
the iterations from Python code, it performs quite well, as long as
your process can be expressed with the provided operators.  It also
meshes well with OpenCV and Tensor Flow, so for the current generation
of newcomers it feels as if Python was actually an appropriate
language for today's buzzwords.

it really doesn't feel fair to the Torch project, which manages
similar (or better) crunching performance without taking flow control
away from the language, and had most of the convolutions and kernels
long before Tensor Flow put that in front of the masses.  OTOH, i
think it doesn't make as straightforward to take advantage of SSE/GPU
for extra horsepower...


-- 
Javier