Iron Python : what are good uses for Iron Python [closed]

Answer 1

My experience of IronPython is usage it as part of engine that can be changed after installation of base .Net application. With help of Python we have described really large set of business rules, that can be changed from two system installation. Partially IronPython was used as plugin language.

The difference from script language - that after compilation IronPython executed as CLR code.

Answer 2

• IronPython is just Yet Another Python Implementation. You can use it anywhere you would use any other Python implementation. (Modulo platform constraints, of course – obviously you can't use IronPython on a Java-only device.)
• IronPython is just Yet Another .NET Compiler. You can use it anywhere you would use any other .NET language.
• IronPython is More Than Just Yet Another Python Implementation. It's a Python implementation that gives you full access to any .NET library.
• IronPython is More Than Just Yet Another .NET Compiler. It's a .NET compiler that gives you full access to any Python library.
• IronPython is an embeddable scripting engine for any .NET app, library and framework.

Answer 3

I think the Iron family of languages is primarily for adding more flavours to the platform, allowing you to get into .NET using a language that you are familiar with. It lowers the bar a lot for getting new people with different backgrounds into .NET

Even though the syntax is Python, the implementation is still built on top of the CLR and the end product will not differ a lot if you decide to go for an IronPython project instead of say C#.

I've had some experience with IronPython and find it nice to work with (it helps of course that I really like the language). IronPython is now considered a first class citizen by Microsoft, and that is also the impression you get when using it. One downside to using it though is that it isn't as widely adopted as the two main languages, causing some issues when it comes to collaboration and maintaining a code base over time.

I found it particularly useful when doing a .NET port of a search algorithm that was first implemented in Python.

Regarding adding scripting abilities to your app, that is probably not the original intention with IronPython, but it has been done. The Umbraco CMS has (or at least had) the ability to create widgets using Python as a dynamic scripting language within their platform. A pretty neat feature to have.

You should go ahead and try it out.. It's always good to have more tools in the belt :)

Answer 4

You can write an app in it, you can use it as a scripting language in your app.

It's used for accessing existing Python libraries and, if needed, writing parts of your code in Python if a .NET languages doesn't seem well enough suited for that job.

Answer 5

We use it as an embedded language inside of our software. I had an article on my blog, but recently switched to a new system. You can find an archived version (with broken image links) here:

Our field engineers now use the embedded language to test things on the fly, our quality assurance people use it to create small scripts to test all features of the hardware, etc....

Hope this helps.

Answer 6

Either or both :)

I wouldn't claim to know a specific "purpose" for IronPython but it certainly can be used to write applications, and it can be used for scripting within a larger .NET application.

Aside from anything else, it's a handy way of gently easing Python developers into the world of .NET. (Why not learn C# at the same time? Come on in, the water's lovely...)