b3ta.com board
You are not logged in. Login or Signup
Home » Messageboard » XXX » Message 10059649 (Thread)

# Gah.
Had enough science this week. Last Friday, I had my first look at Python and now a week later, I've co-written a simluation program that does least squares fitting for a previously unsolvable problem. My head hurts and my eyes are sore from staring at computer screens.
(I helped save b3ta! Colonel Boris "...a desperate Buzzfeed imitation...", Fri 21 May 2010, 13:09, archived)
# You lost me after "at" but I'm jealous that your brain can work that way
(I helped save b3ta! sepang 's favourite day is, Fri 21 May 2010, 13:12, archived)
# Using Python is like mashing your groin repeatedly with a cushion
It can be fun at first but after a few hours it begins to hurt, and after a week you're crying for mercy.



Disclaimer: May not actually frequently use Python and acknowledges that it might be the greatest scripting language ever.
(I helped save b3ta! boris the spider, Fri 21 May 2010, 13:17, archived)
# All that tells me is it's a good idea not to touch any cushions in your house
(I helped save b3ta! sepang 's favourite day is, Fri 21 May 2010, 13:19, archived)
# This would be very good advice
I wash them regularly, but still...
(I helped save b3ta! boris the spider, Fri 21 May 2010, 13:22, archived)
# This is going to be the new office slogan.
It's really not too bad - it's just the mistakes I've made that make it hard work. I've not done any programming before, so I'm really quite pleased. It's running at the moment and it's the first time I've heard this computer's fan running...
(I helped save b3ta! Colonel Boris "...a desperate Buzzfeed imitation...", Fri 21 May 2010, 13:24, archived)
# I'm rubbish at Python
other than shell scripts it's the only scripting language I've used any of -- but in the end I just use Fortran and forget about it, like the rest of my field. That's why we're stuck in 1980 or so. I should probably make more of an effort though.

Or Perl. Or Ruby. Or any of these things. Javascript. That looks "fun".
(I helped save b3ta! boris the spider, Fri 21 May 2010, 13:34, archived)
# I have no idea.
I'm just mashing keys until it does what I want, which is seldom. The program itself works fine now, but the results are a bit off. More due to intractable errors between model and reality, but meh, had to give it a try. If it gets even half-way there, I've booked myself a ticket to a conference in China.
(I helped save b3ta! Colonel Boris "...a desperate Buzzfeed imitation...", Fri 21 May 2010, 13:47, archived)
# Book yourself a ticket anyway
If they won't let you into the hall become one of the crackpots hanging around just outside handing out leaflets loudly proclaiming the genius of your model in badly-spelled English and violently clashing colours.
(I helped save b3ta! boris the spider, Fri 21 May 2010, 13:50, archived)
# Funding...
The conference also clashes with the in-laws coming over and I like them.
(I helped save b3ta! Colonel Boris "...a desperate Buzzfeed imitation...", Fri 21 May 2010, 13:52, archived)
# Tell them to buy tickets to China instead
= family holiday! + assorted crackpottery
(I helped save b3ta! boris the spider, Fri 21 May 2010, 13:58, archived)
# I've been reading a python book
I'm up to chapter 5. I can't do a thing with it.
(waxdart hello., Fri 21 May 2010, 13:23, archived)
# Try this...
while true:
print "MrOli is great!";
(MrOli is ugly, but in the morning you will be sober, Fri 21 May 2010, 13:38, archived)
# Traceback (most recent call last):

File "", line 1, in
while true:
NameError: name 'true' is not defined
(waxdart hello., Fri 21 May 2010, 13:51, archived)
# DAMMIT!
My Python is rusty.
(MrOli is ugly, but in the morning you will be sober, Fri 21 May 2010, 13:54, archived)
# Pffft!
h = acceptable humour content
p = raw_input("Joke: ")
If p = h:
print "Pfft!"

(I helped save b3ta! Colonel Boris "...a desperate Buzzfeed imitation...", Fri 21 May 2010, 13:51, archived)