Re: [Visualpython-users] Advice: iMac

[Bruce S. <bas...@un...>]

You're correct, Arthur, that there is no required connection between IDLE
and Visual: use any editor you like. But the VPython version of IDLE offers
one-keypress interactivity, automatic saving of files, infinite un-do, and
protection against the execution crashing, which together make the
combination of Visual and this particular IDLE a particularly useful package
(called VPython) for use by novices who are not experienced programmers. For
that reason the VPython version of IDLE is not a generic programmer's text
editor.

"Visual" is a 3D module for Python programmers, and "VPython" is the name of
a package with a number of parts bundled together for the benefit of
novices. And since Visual is open source, anyone can compile it for any
platform, including Mac OS9. What I don't know how to do, and what there are
no resources for doing, is producing a nice "VPython" package for OS9.

I've probably never formulated the difference between "Visual" and "VPython"
quite this clearly before, and perhaps vpython.org could be restructured to
make this distinction clear.

Bruce Sherwood

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Arthur" <ajs...@op...>
To: <Vis...@li...>
Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2003 9:46 AM
Subject: Re: [Visualpython-users] Advice: iMac


>
> Bruce writes -
>
> > I don't see any way to go forward with a version for OS9, which moreover
> has
> > always been crippled because Idle doesn't work. Rather you have to
>
> No comment as to the general Mac issues - I am ignorant of Mac.
>
> But it should be no surprise from earlier comments I have made, that I
think
> it is a mistake to tie the fate of VPython on Mac or on any other platform
> to IDLE.  IDLE, on any platform, is just one of many alternatives for
> working with VPython scripts.  Except as to the Python specific debugging
> features and the like that you have acknowledged are not utilized by
either
> yourself and your students, IDLE is a generic programmers text editor.
> Period.  The alternatives to IDLE are myriad. I have to assume, on Mac as
> well as any other platform. I am confused by your position on this.
>
> Art
>
>
>
>
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