Isn''t Python interpretive? That would mean it''s slower. Oh well. Just go with what you''re comfortable with.

Now if you want to try ASM, I suggest you get MASM32 (not the same as MASM) or NASM-- though I''ve never really tried NASM, but it is free. Just look them up in a search engine to find them. They are both freeware.

I''ve found that C++ is great. It''s not that big monster that many people make it out to be. It''s also very portable, unlike ASM which is extremely low-level. What''s more there is only one C++ language. How many ASMs are there? Not all hardware supports the same ASM, which is why it''s not portable.

Do you want to avoid C++ to avoid MS? Sounds like it. That''s where GNU comes in...