Algorithms For Dummies

  Using Python to Work with Algorithms 

     47

Naturally, with all these success stories to go on, people are enthusiastic about 

adding to Python. You can find lists of Python Enhancement Proposals (PEPs) at 

http://legacy.python.org/dev/peps/

. These PEPs may or may not see the light 

of day, but they prove that Python is a living, growing language that will continue 

to provide features that developers truly need to create great applications of all 

types.

Working with MATLAB

Python  has  advantages  over  many  other  languages  by  offering  multiple  coding 

styles,  fantastic  flexibility,  and  great  extensibility,  but  it’s  still  a  programming 

language.  If  you  honestly  don’t  want  to  use  a  programming  language,  you  do 

have other  options,  such  as MATLAB  (

https://www.mathworks.com/products/

matlab/

), which focuses more on algorithms. MATLAB is still a scripting language 

of a sort, and to perform any significant tasks with it, you still need to know a 

little about coding, but not as much as with Python.

One of the major issues with using MATLAB is the price you pay. Unlike Python, 

MATLAB requires a monetary investment on your part (see 

https://www. 

mathworks.com/pricing-licensing/

 for licensing costs). The environment is 

indeed easier to use, but as with most things, there is no free lunch, and you must 

consider the cost differential as part of determining which product to use.

Many people are curious about MATLAB, that is, its strengths and weaknesses 

when compared to Python. This book doesn’t have room to provide a full compari-

son,  but  you  can  find  a  great  overview  at 

http://www.pyzo.org/python_vs_ 

matlab.html

. In addition, you can call Python packages from MATLAB using the 

techniques found at 

https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/call-python- 

libraries.html

. In fact, MATLAB also works with the following: