Datasheet
22
CHAPTER 1 Discovering ironPython
FIGURE 110: The output of the example is a simple equation.
USING IRONPYTHON CONSTRUCTIVELY
This chapter has introduced you to IronPython. You should have a good understanding of why you
want to use IronPython and how it differs from other, static .NET languages. Dynamic languages
have a special place in your toolbox. They aren’t the answer to every need, but they can address
specific needs — just as other languages address the needs for which they were built. At the end of
the day, the computer doesn’t care what language you use — the computer simply cares how that
language is translated into the bits and bytes it requires to do something useful. Languages address
human needs and it’s important to keep that in mind.
Before you do anything else, make sure you get IronPython installed on your system and test the
installation out using the examples in this chapter. If you’re getting some weird result or nothing
at all, you might have a bad installation. Once you know that you do have a good installation, try
playing around with the example application in the “Creating Your First Application” section of the
chapter. Work with this application as a means of working with the tools discussed in the “Using the
IronPython Console” and “Using the IronPython Windowed Environment” sections of the chapter.
At this point, you really don’t know too much about the Python language or the IronPython implemen-
tation of that language. However, you probably do know something about other .NET languages, and
that’s a good starting point. Chapter 2 builds on the information you’ve learned in this chapter and also
builds on your personal knowledge of the .NET Framework. In Chapter 2, you begin building knowl-
edge about IronPython so you can see what an interesting language it is and so you can also begin to
understand the example in the “Creating Your First Application” section of the chapter. When you get
done with Chapter 2, you may want to take another look at the sample application — you’ll be sur-
prised to discover that you really do know how the example works.
548592c01.indd 22 2/24/10 12:47:15 PM