But the problem is that Python is definitely crufty. There are so many spots where you can see how the language has been expanded - by force if necessary - throughout the years. Things like the way running an app works: you write a function that tests to see if matches "__main__", instead of an actual main() function. The fact that *every* method in a class needs to refer to "self" first (i.e.: method(self, otherParam) ) is ugly. And self isn't actually a reserved word, just a "strong convention". Ugh. As I learn more, I find more. In my opinion, Python could definitely use a new version rev, drop backwards compatability and clean up the cruft.