THIS FILE IS NOT USED. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Laura: This is the stuff I wrote for B2. It belongs in B1, if at all. I sort of like how I made the PyPy objective match the Call objective. That might be good to clip for B1. --------------------------------------------------------------- B.2 Relevance to the objectives of the IST Priority Describe the manner in which the proposed project's goals address the scientific, technical, wider societal and policy objectives of the IST Priority in the areas concerned. (Recommended length ­ three pages) PyPy is a precise match for IST-2002-2.3.2.3 - Open development platforms for software and services. Its stated objective is as follows: To build open development and run-time environments for software and services providing the next generation of methodologies, interoperable middleware and tools to support developers - through all phases of the software life-cycle, from requirements analysis until deployment and maintenance - in the production of networked and distributed software systems and services, embedded software and value-added user services. This will enable the development of future software engineering methods and tools. The PyPy project aims to build a flexible and fast implementation of the Open Source programming language Python written in itself. Python is a Very High Level Language, a modern tool for developing software. While Python is already suitable for developing software of all sizes, this new implementation of Python would be particularly suitable for the development of networked, distributed software systems, and embedded software. It will facilitate the development of future software engineering methods and tools. Priority is to be given to projects in which 'strong industrial users join forces with software and service suppliers in building common platforms with support of academic research partners'. This project is a collaboration between academic researchers, and software and service providers to produce an outcome desired by all industrial users. ASK_STOCKHOLM 'what's an Industrial User?' Is AB Strakt one? Large companies, who are not software providers, such as Bang and Bang & Olufsen, the Danish maker of high-end audio equipment, http://www.bang-olufsen.com/ have expressed interest in using PyPy once it is developed. Moreover, our project is relevant to every focus objective. Focus is on: a) High level methods and concepts (esp. at requirements and architectural level) for system design, development and integration, addressing non-functional aspects, complexity, autonomy and composability. PyPy will advance the 'state-of-the-art' in high level implementation of languages, introducing high level methods and concepts in the domain, producing a development environment and methods with as-yet-unmatched flexibility, with a new architecture for object libraries that provide for radical improvements in (the management of) complexity, autonomy (self-hosting), and composability (seamless modularity). ASK_STOCKHOLM DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN THIS MORE? b) Open and modular development environments, enabling flexibility and extensibility with new or sector-specific tools (e.g. intelligent distributed decision support), supporting different adaptable development processes and methodologies and ensuring consistency and traceability across the development lifecycle. Flexibility is one of the primary goals of PyPy. Our new architecture will be the basis of a host of more flexible and extensible ways to create software products. PyPy will, of course, be released as Free/Open Source software, under the MIT license. FOOTNOTE: Stick MIT License in here. ASK_STOCKHOLM -- Am I correct? They want the thing we made to be Open and Modular? Or are they asking that our own way of working uses Open and Modular techniques? We do this as well .... c) Light/agile methodologies and adaptive workflow providing a dynamic and adaptive environment, suitable for co-operative and distributed development. Each member of the group is committed to Agile Methodologies. Some of us have experience with Crystal and others with XP, [FIXME add URLS and see if we have any more trained people on the team XXX nico: Logilab teaches XP] two of the more popular ones. Moreover, since we have been active for many years in the Open Source community, we are already used to co-operating with others in a distributed development process. ASK_STOCKHOLM -- is this what they want, or more like this? AB Strakt is a young Swedish software company whose main product, CAPS is an adaptive workflow framework. A faster Python would seamlessly improve this product, and those applications which are based upon it. [FIXME: if we want this bit, we want to refer to the AB Strakt Appendix, that says that we are a cool company, and that we do workflow and procurement, and that we are responsible -- blah blah blah. I'll boast about Strakt later, or see if I can steal some boasts from marketing.] d) Open platforms, middleware and languages supporting standards for interoperability, composability and integration. (incl. e.g. P2P, GRID, autonomy, agents, dynamic adaptability and evolvability, context awareness, customer profiles). Open source middleware layers can facilitate rapid and broad adoption. PyPy is an Open Language. ASK_STOCKHOLM. So they have just asked us to make them a language? Or they just want us to use a language to make what we are making? [XXX nico: Logilab is making agent software and would very much like to use pypy for that] In addition, related foundational research, to be implemented by Specific Targeted Research Projects and Coordination Actions, should focus on fundamental design concepts, systematisation of domain specifications, concurrency, distribution and timing, formal and quantitative analysis and testing tools, and future database and information system concepts. ASK_STOCKHOLM PyPy is Applied Research. When they say 'foundational research' do they want 'foundational applied research', in which case we can all cheer and say, here we are with a STREP, new foundational research in the field of specializing compilers, just what you asked for? Or by 'foundational research' do they mean the sort of basic research that has no direct applications, but goes under the heading 'it is nice to learn stuff'? FIXME Emphasis "quantitative analysis" as per WP06 and WP07 where we describe PyPy as a research and comparison platform Work should where appropriate, enhance and complement work implemented under EUREKA/ITEA and in software initiatives at member and associated state level. The IST programme will seek active co-operation with ITEA in software intensive systems. ASK_STOCKHOLM I don't know how to find out which work implemented under EUREKA/ITEA was implemented using Python. I do know of 2 prior IST projects. ASWAD: http://wwww.aswad-project.org. A faster Python will enhance any project done in Python. Also, if this means that EUREKA/ITEA has more pots of money that they would like to hand us, we'd love to take it.