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by latchkey 5283 days ago
Maybe I'm confused. It seems like Facebook has the ability to hire as many 'resources' as they possibly can. Are you saying that there are no Python developers out there that you could hire that would be willing to work on the SDK?
3 comments
MichaelApproved 5283 days ago
I think he's saying the cost/benefit of providing the level of support for a Python SDK isn't worth it. Perhaps, once they've gotten everything cleaned up, they'll support Python again.

I like this idea. The FB API is a mess that I've decided to stay away from. If they consolidate their resources, improve the API and provide good docs, I'd be willing to revisit.

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peterhunt 5282 days ago
Just because a company has the resources to hire doesn't mean it necessarily should. A company culture can only absorb so many new hires in a given period of time, and I think Facebook likes the culture and doesn't want to see it go away.
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randomdata 5282 days ago
One recurring point on HN in recent times is that there is a major talent shortage. It is very possible that Facebook is not able to find skilled Python developers to work on the SDK.
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scarlson 5282 days ago
Copy-paste from another comment:

FriendFeed, acquired by Facebook in 2009, was a Python shop. These guys now maintain their Tornado platform as Facebook (https://github.com/facebook/tornado). Facebook's CTO, Bret Taylor, is a Python guy (https://github.com/finiteloop). Python is used in house. They have the resources to support Python. They've just made the business decision not to.

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randomdata 5282 days ago
"They have the resources to support Python."

Having Python experts on staff is no indication that those people have time to work on additional Python projects. And if there is a real talent shortage, it is quite likely they cannot find anyone else to take on the extra projects.

Ultimately, you are right that it is a business decision. They could hire anyone off the street and train them to be skilled in Python. Though I understand why they might not want to do that.

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scarlson 5279 days ago
That's fair. I was more intending to point out that Facebook does indeed have Python developers, and they are not entirely a PHP business.
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latchkey 5282 days ago
From everything that I've read and seen first hand in doing interviews, the reason for the major talent shortage is because FB, Goog, etc have first dibs on the best people. What I suspect is more likely is that their general interest primarily lies in languages other than Python.
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