Comments on: Programming Dynamic Models in Python

By: glennF

glennF — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 08:54:56 +0000

I have to agree with @VLDR. To use long variable names in mathematical formula vcan obscure the formula and introduce mistakes. I am in favour of keeping the code similar to the mathematical formula (but maybe that is because I am a mathematician and write mathematical programs for a living). In other cases, then I think it is good practice to use long and descriptive variable names.

By: erik

erik — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:30:15 +0000

@VLDR There's nothing wrong with this code. S, I and R are obvious acronyms for the numbers of susceptible, infected and recovered. It's standard to do this (google "SIR model").

By: Steven Oldner

Steven Oldner — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 18:02:16 +0000

LOL! Should have said I now know something more I didn’t before!
Thanks again.

By: Steven Oldner

Steven Oldner — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:59:51 +0000

At my work, we write it first to get the logic working, then re-write to make the code standarized and optimized. So your python code is good.

What I found meaningful is how you used it. I now something I didn’t before, and thanks to you code, have a starting point should I use need it.

I’m looking forward to more.

Thanks!

By: Rantenki

Rantenki — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:26:23 +0000

Unlike VLDR, I did read the article. I don’t like his tone very much, but he is right that your use of single letter variable names is bad form. Comments are useful for deciphering the code, but susceptibles = 1000 #number of susceptibles, etc. would not add much typing, and would greatly increase legibility.

Perhaps the most important core tenet of python is that code is read far more often than it is written, so legibility is of paramount importance.

Other than that, this is a good starting point for new programmers, and I am glad to see python taking such a large role in education nowadays (as opposed to icky icky java).

By: mjbommar

mjbommar — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:40:19 +0000

@VLDR
Maybe you missed the part where we explain that this is part of a set of tutorials for those new to programming. Maybe you missed the part where we indicate that these variables are named to correspond with the variables from the differential equation model.

Or maybe you’re just a troll and missed a proper raising.

By: VLDR

VLDR — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:23:42 +0000

I looked at the code before reading the article and decided not to bother.

S I R N t .. ?
sList iList rList?

Where the f*ck did you learn to program?