Best programming language for lab experiments

[Mattjd]

I dont know what it is about this forum but it seriously always has so much hate against anything remotely mainstream.


OP, use Python.

Its a great language, not the fastest, but the parts that need to be fast (numpy, pandas, sklearn) are just as fast as Matlab if not faster in some areas. Its got huge amounts of open source libraries for all sorts of things. Theres multiple libraries for control Rigol instruments, and I am sure others.

Cherry on the cake is that Python is actually relevant, and jobs look for it. Mainly because its free and the huge amount of open source support it has.

[spudboy488]

LabView NXG ?

See the link in https://www.eevblog.com/forum/general-computing/labview-community-edition-released-(free-noncommercial!)

[HackedFridgeMagnet]

Obviously only applies if your OS is Windows.

I find  C# a far better language than python and that is what I would choose.

Stronger Typing, no ridiculous white space mistakes, better multithreading apparently, very nice GUI controls, fantastic IDE.

Also no Zen of Python bullshit. This used to aggravate me no end when I was doing python. 

If they thought explicit was better than implicit then they should've used semicolons. 

[Doctorandus_P]

Python uses duck typing.

If it looks like a duck, and if it quacks like a duck then it is probably something that wants you to think it is a duck.

I would prefer perl above python if the language alone was taken into consideration.
Unfortunately I have a limited amount of space in my head and time is also a one-way street.

As I wrote before, I started using python because it's used as a scripting language in almost all the open source tools I use. And I'm really hoping for Python4 with strong typing and without the ridiculous whitespace dependency, but it's one of the compromises in life.

[PKTKS]

Python uses duck typing.

If it looks like a duck, and if it quacks like a duck then it is probably something that wants you to think it is a duck.

I would prefer perl above python if the language alone was taken into consideration.
Unfortunately I have a limited amount of space in my head and time is also a one-way street.

As I wrote before, I started using python because it's used as a scripting language in almost all the open source tools I use. And I'm really hoping for Python4 with strong typing and without the ridiculous whitespace dependency, but it's one of the compromises in life.

That is mostly  a perfect definition.

I need to reinforce it with some worth points as well:
- While python insists of being strangely "object" only dependent..
- It will not suit a *NIX environment properly
- Example *before* the flames arise:
   ** Look how python interact with "PIPES" (primary building block of good OS)
   ** they crafted a totally wacko object "module" with a more odd thing...
   **  which oddly enough they call "template" (which you derive a pipe from)

- Now compare that with how PERL interacts *DIRECTLY* with PIPES
  using a dozen direct ways to handle PIPES.
- Just a simple start point of comparison.. extend that to signals
- sockets... and process handling.  Python is brain damaged doing that

Now look how a simple version "upgrade"  will write a totally new
  library set of *ALL* that crappy objects...

Honestly.. python is far from consideration being a proper SHELL
script admin tool..  more likely a VB kinda wanna be

Flames are welcome - I know some die hard folks are python enthusiasts..
I just do not figure out why

Paul