[tlug] Re: python development

["Stephen J. Turnbull" <stephen@example.com>]

>>>>> "Martin" == Martin Bähr <mbaehr@example.com> writes:

    Martin> On Fri, Feb 13, 2004 at 01:45:03PM +0900, Stephen
    Martin> J. Turnbull wrote:

    >> Python probably has the best development process in the
    >> business,

    Martin> could you elaborate on that? (or do you have a pointer to
    Martin> some elaboration?)

Personal impression.  The Linux kernel has more momentum.  But Linux
kernel doesn't have a process; it has Linus and his lieutenants.  I
suspect that "if Linus got hit by a bus" everything would keep
running, but that's because of the personnel.  Although Python has is
cult-like aspects (cf Guido's title "Benevolent Dictator for Life",
aka BDFL), there is a real process there (the so-called PEP, or Python
Enhancement Proposal, process).  If the whole Python team got hit by a
bus, it would be possible for a competent manager to pick up the reins
and restart.  Furthermore, it separates Python development issues from
Guido's employment by Zope Corp in a way that shuts up the doubters.
Cf Red Hat's employment of Cox, Miller, and Drepper, and the vocal
criticism that elicits.

The Apache process is somewhere in between.  As is historically true
of that project, although they have high standards for documentation
ex post, their development process tends to be driven by "private"
projects of individuals, who then "go public" with a proposal after
things are well under way.

The point is that if you want something to emulate, Python is
well-documented.  There are other good ways of doing things, but
Python's is the best _as formalized and the formalization is actually
implemented_.

-- 
Institute of Policy and Planning Sciences     http://turnbull.sk.tsukuba.ac.jp
University of Tsukuba                    Tennodai 1-1-1 Tsukuba 305-8573 JAPAN
               Ask not how you can "do" free software business;
              ask what your business can "do for" free software.