Talk:Python

From RTEMSWiki

Real-Time Characteristics

Python is a dynamic language including features like garbage collection and implicit creation of variables What about real-time characteristics in this context? Is there a real-time garbage collector planned?

--Sbot 10:28, 27 March 2008 (CDT)

I can not speak about any Python or RTEMS projects to do any real-time garbage collection. I don't even know how and why Python does it now. I just wanted to point out that there are a LOT of types of embedded systems which vary in real-time requirements. Many systems mix hard real-time with softer timing activities. In this context, Python is useful when you want some scripting capability on the target -- especially if you want to add project specific commands. Years ago I did this a few times with Tcl and the users were thrilled to be able to interact in such a flexible way with their system. It may be either for diagnostics and not that critical to the real-time nature of the system or on the extreme end -- space applications upload scripts to the robots and satellites which are too distant to directly teleoperate. Making Python more suitable for real-time use would be good but the point is flexibility as much as anything. It is not a required part of any system. --Dr. Joel 06:59, 28 March 2008 (CDT)