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c++ or python

asked 2015-05-02 11:40:08 -0600

Mr. CEO gravatar image

I am currently using python to make stuff in ROS, would it be worthwhile to learn cpp? Are there things you can't do with python? Is it easier to program things with c++?

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answered 2015-05-03 19:12:02 -0600

Maya gravatar image

I'll add something to @aak2166 answer.

Some library you might want to use are going to be exclusively in Python or in CPP. For example, as far as I know, PCL is only in C++ so if you want to use it, you will have to learn C++. Smash is only in python.

So it depend as well on your project but knowing both is certainly an advantage since you won't be limited by this.

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There are now PCL bindings for Python.

Adam Allevato gravatar image Adam Allevato  ( 2015-05-04 10:43:43 -0600 )edit

Good thing I said as far as I know :). I didn't know that, thanks for the information.

Maya gravatar image Maya  ( 2015-05-04 10:50:46 -0600 )edit
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answered 2015-05-04 08:56:15 -0600

scopus gravatar image

Python is used for some modules that don't need fast speed. However, python is easier to be used. I think the combination of Python and CPP could lead to more work efficiency.

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answered 2015-05-04 07:26:53 -0600

Regarding performance keep in mind that a lot of C++ library (like OpenCV) can be used in Python without loss of performance since they are not executed by Python interpreter. I made some tests with face detection comparing performance between C++ and Python and I did not find significant differences.

My usual approach is to use Python for small integrations and for proof of concept taking advantage of its simplicity and switch to C++ only if this can results in performance improvements.

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answered 2015-05-02 18:57:54 -0600

aak2166 gravatar image

Python is an easier language to learn and master. The main advantage that a compiled language like c++ has is speed. For example, it might take you two weeks to program something in c++ but only 4 days in python. However, once you create that program in c++ you can expect it to execute faster (depending on the application) by about an order of magnitude.

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Asked: 2015-05-02 11:40:08 -0600

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Last updated: May 04 '15