We have selected some speakers through random.choice() to be featured on the EuroPython 2011 blog! We publish their short interviews twice a week until the event. Today we introduce you John Pinner!
### What's your name and what do you do? I'm John Pinner, working out of the UK on business and engineering software, both desktop and web apps, using Python with some C. ### How did you start using Python? I needed to replace a 4GL language I'd been using for years, I and my customers had lots of data stored in its proprietary database, and when the authors decided not to port their new GUI version to Linux we needed a way forward. I decided to build a development system based on Python and PyQt, with a C extension module interfacing with the database. It proved to be a very good decision, our system now far exceeds the capabilities of that produced by the original 4GL's authors, is cross-platform and benefits from the 'batteries included' with Python. ### Name one Python feature you wouldn't live without. The interactive interpreter. It really is 'your friend' when you need to find out how things work. ### What is your talk/training about? [Functional programming with Python][1]. ### Tease us with one secret that will be revealed during your talk/training What we can learn from BASIC and FORTRAN. ### Name another training that you wouldn't miss at EuroPython. Raymond Hettinger's 'Advanced Python'. You cannot help learning many things from any talk by Raymond. ### What would you tell someone who is still in doubt whether to register to EuroPython or not? Come, learn, make new friends, you won't regret it. ## Next Interview Online: May 26th. [1]: http://ep2011.europython.eu/conference/talks/functional-programming- with-python
_______________________________________________ EuroPython 2011 - Florence June 20-26 http://ep2011.europython.eu/ EuroPython mailing list EuroPython@python.org http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/europython
