A Conversation with Guido van Rossum

A Conversation with Guido van Rossum
by Bill Venners with Frank Sommers
February 17, 2003

In this six-part interview, Python creator Guido van Rossum gives insights into Python's design goals, the source of Python programmer productivity, the implications of weak typing, and more.

Part I: The Origins of Python

Guido van Rossum on Python's history, the influence of the ABC language, and Python's original design goals.

Part IV: Contracts in Python

Guido van Rossum on the nature of contracts in a runtime typed programming language such as Python.

Part II: Python's Design Goals

Guido van Rossum on how Python was originally intended to "bridge the gap between the shell and C," and how it eventually became used on large scale applications.

Part V: Strong versus Weak Typing

Guido van Rossum on the robustness of systems built with strongly and weakly typed languages, the value of testing, and whether he'd fly on an all-Python plane.

Part III: Programming at Python Speed

Guido van Rossum on the source of Python's famed programmer productivity and the joys of exploring new territory with code.

Part VI: Designing with the Python Community

Guido van Rossum on the importance of pythonic API design, the value of experience and community feedback in design decisions, and the process of deciding how to evolve Python's standard library.


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