FIXME_LAURA: proof-read this, insert new direction SWOT job :DELETE:BEGIN FIXME_LAURA: proof-read this Relevance to the Objectives of the IST Priority -------------------------------------------------- The PyPy project will build a flexible, modular, context-aware implementation of the Open Source programming language Python. In doing so it will take advantage of the known European strengths in formal methods and languages outlined in the June 2002 report: 'IST Advisory Group Software Technologies, Embedded Systems and Distributed Systems: A European strategy towards an Ambient Intelligent Environment'. It will go beyond the state of the Art in computer languages, and produce a runtime system which is much better suited for the development and deployment of networked, embedded, and mobile devices than any existing language available today. In doing so it will adhere to the syntax of the popular programming language, thus requiring no re-training for the tens of thousands of European Python programmers. To improve an existing programming language with the explicit goals of making it more suitable for European industry can only have a positive effect on European competitiveness. Because PyPy will be released as Open Source, it will contribute towards the goals of openness and trust. Python is the most widely used European-designed computer language. Its development started in 1990, at CWI, Centrum voor Wiskunde en Informatica, the National Research Institute for Mathematics and Computer Science in the Netherlands, it will strenghten our leadership in the area of innovative language design, and increase world-wide awareness of this fact. Thus PyPy is position to be at the heart of the knowledge economy and provide a viable alternative to American closed source language monopolies, while increasing innovation and competitiveness in European businesses and industry and to contributing to the greater well-being of all European citizens. :DELETE:END Relevance to the Objectives of the IST Priority -------------------------------------------------- The IST thematic priority will contribute directly to realising European policies for the knowledge society as agreed at the Lisbon Council of 2000, the Stockholm Council of 2001, the Seville Council of 2002, and as reflected in the e-Europe Action Plan. The main targets of IST in FP6 are - solving 'trust and confidence' problems so as to improve dependability of technologies, infrastructures and applications. PyPy can contribute to this goal because it is an Open Source language. Open Source programs are more widely trusted than proprietary alternatives because they are transparent. Any person having any doubts or questions about the technology can simply read the code and find out what it does, unlike with a closed-source language where one can only hope it does what you want. Moreover, Python is an extremely readable language. Readability was one of its design goals. This makes maintaining Python programs substatially easier than similar program in less readable languages. It is the maintainability of computer programs which most directly effects their actual and perceived reliability. Moreover, there is a significant risk in relying on proprietary closed source programs. Should one have any problem with the program, you are completely dependent upon the programs manufacturer to fix it. But the manufacturer will only fix it if it is in his commercial interest to do so. The authors of this proposal who live in Sweden are extremely tired of using software which believes that one can live without the last three letters of the Swedish alphabet :XXX. When the source is freely available, then should the manufacturer not believe your problems to be worth his while, you can always change things yourself, or hire somebody else to do so. Thus rather than 'trusting the manufacturer because you have no choice' you can 'trust yourself to always be able to fix it should it go wrong'. This second form of trust is far more durable and useful. - strengthening social cohesion by providing efficient, intelligent and easy to use systems. Social cohesion is strengthened when technological advances are no longer the exclusive domain of a technological elite, but readily accessible by all members of society. The best way to achieve such a goal is to have the participation of all members of society in the design and implementation of new technological advances. They will prevent our future devices from arriving with user interfaces that present a 'nerds only' barrier. In the field of software, this means more than simply providing programs which are easy to use -- it also means providing languages which are easier for non-programmers to learn. Python's development started in 1990, at Centrum voor Wiskunde en Informatica (CWI), the National Research Institute for Mathematics and Computer Science in the Netherlands. It built on the lessons learned in designing ABC. Both of these languages are explicitly designed to be easier for non-programmers and non-technical people to learn. Python has been extremely successful in such goals, see XXX CP4E, especially among women. Python is widely used as a first programming language. We will explore this further in section 7, but for here suffice it to say that Python meets such goals as much as is possible for a computer language. Again, the simple benefit of being able to type your name correctly, when it contains letters outside of the English 26, provides a sense of belonging -- or perhaps it is only that when you cannot type your name you feel excluded, unappreciated, or unwanted. - enabling sustainable growth and improving competitiveness both of large and small businesses as well as the efficiency and transparency of governments. Governments have been embracing Open Source in recent times in a big way. To the extent that they will demand programs developed in an Open Source Language, for reasons of transparency, reliability, and national security they will benefit from the existence of PyPy as an Open Source language choice. Moreover, the PyPy Consortium includes the Python Business Forum, an international trade association of SMEs who develop using the Python programming language. Since SMEs are the main engines for innovation, growth, and competitiveness in the IT sector, by supporting these SMEs, and improving the language they use to develop one can directly have a positive effect on competitiveness. Moreover, syngeries can be developed between the SMEs and academia, and SME and large industrial players. Disseminating knowledge to these SMEs is a primary goal of this proposal, and a major focus of our efforts. They are poised to fully exploit the new language implementation because they will be among its developers, and beneficiaries of a focussed effort in knowledge dissemination. Thirdly, a Consortium member in this proposal is the Swedish SME AB Strakt, whose new product, *CAPS Upphandling*, is a full-featured, transparent, government procurement system promoting the efficiency of government throughout the tender process. AB Strakt is interested in PyPy in large part because it will improve its commercial offering. The governments and large businesses which are its primary market will thus benefit indirectly from an improved Python. - harnessing the computing and knowledge management resources across Europe and bringing them to the desktop of any researcher, engineer or other end user. Open source standards increase interoperability, which make such resources easier to share. FIXME_ALASTAIR Now talk about Semantic Web Again, quoting from the IST workprogramme, this requires progress in three main technology building blocks: ena - pushing the limits of miniaturisation and minimising the costs and power consumption of microelectronic components and micro-systems. Smaller systems need software developed in languages that have a small footprint. PyPy will be there. - developing mobile, wireless, optical and broadband communication infrastructures as well as software and computing technologies that are reliable, pervasive, interoperable and can be adapted to accommodate new applications and services. Europe's strengths both in communication technologies and in embedded software and systems provide a clear opportunity to lead and contribute to the development of the next generation of products and services. The development of open standards and open source software will be encouraged when appropriate to ensure interoperability of solutions and to further innovation. This is PyPy in a nutshell. An Open Source language that is explicitly designed for the next generation of products and services. FIXME_SAMUELE quote from the work package??? - Developing user friendly interfaces which are intuitive, can interpret all our senses such as speech, vision and touch and that understand our gestures and various languages. This should be coupled with more powerful and flexible knowledge technologies that are semantic-based and context-aware. They should prepare for the next generation Web and make access to, and creation of digital content more effective and more creative. FIXME_ALASTAIR SEmantic web, FIXME_NICO Narval? where does constraint programming go? Links and Complimentary with Other Programmes +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ FIXME_ARMIN FIXME_NICO FIXME_ALASTAIR FIXME_BEA Talk about your projects. Contribution to Community Social Objectives +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ FIXME_LAURA ask Michel Contributiuon to EC Policies ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ There will be transfer of knowledge from research to industry through the participation of software developing SMEs. Thus the SMEs in the project will benefit from the cutting-edge, high level research results. Since the SMEs are in a hurry to commercialise products which use this research, the academics will see that their research is not wasted -- locked into tiny languages which have little effect outside of the academic community. A specialising Just in Time Compiler for Python, designed for the use of networked and embedded systems will have immediate effect in reinforcing European dominance in this demanding competitive field, and thus contribute to the employment of people in desirable jobs in a rapidly growing field.