python, then C++, or C++ from the start?

[martin f krafft]

Dear colleagues,

I am starting to write netconf [0], finally. Or rather, I would if
I could settle on a language. If netconf is ever going to replace
ifupdown, it would need to have a low footprint and few
dependencies. This clearly suggests C/C++ as the language of choice.

0. http://netconf.alioth.debian.org

However, C/C++ make extreme programming rather difficult as it's
hard to make large-scale changes due to the strict typing and stuff
like lack of garbage collection or seamless exception handling. I am
not here to bash C/C++, but you might agree that high-level
languages such as Python are much better suited for mockup
implementations, when the overall structure and logic of a programme
is not yet set in stone.

Since I want netconf released early and often, and I'll be reusing
a lot of shell script logic at first, throwing stuff around until
the logical structure and type definitions are adequate, I am
considering starting first in Python and later, when it's All
Done(tm), port the application to C++.

I am a well-versed C++ coder and I know which things are possible in
Python but not in C++, so if I avoid those, this seems like
a possible approach.

But I am asking you still: can you think of anything to say against
such an approach? Please don't flame languages or anything of that
sort. The question is just: is it viable for a C++ coder with
a Python proficiency to mockup a new application in Python first?

Thanks for comments,

-- 
Please do not send copies of list mail to me; I read the list!
 
 .''`.   martin f. krafft <madduck at debian.org>
: :'  :  proud Debian developer, author, administrator, and user
`. `'`   http://people.debian.org/~madduck - http://debiansystem.info
  `-  Debian - when you have better things to do than fixing systems
 
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