[igraph] Language remmendations

[Tom Backer Johnsen]

Gentlepersons:

I need a tool for the analysis (and perhaps simulation as well) of 
social networks, in particular small social groups (10+- 2 members or 
smaller) in respect to concepts like balance (Heider, Cartwright & 
Harary etc.).  In other words, the graphs I will be working with are 
signed (valued) and directed graphs.

It seems to me that a scan of the literature reveals one serious 
alternative in two different versions, igraph for R and Python.

I am fairly familiar with R, much less familiar with Python (but I 
anticipate few problems in learning a new programming language), and the 
latter one in any case looks like a nice and useful language.

I have downloaded the documentation for the R version of igraph package. 
 However, I have not been able to locate anything specifically for the 
2.5 version of Python.  Does that mean that the calls on functions are 
essentially the same?  Is it possible to find sample Python program 
snippets on the net?  Also, the R documentation I have is at least half 
a year old, which may make a difference, given the fair amount of 
activity on this list.

For the possible (type agent-based) simulations I am thinking of using 
Netlogo.  R should be an execellent tool for any data analysis of the 
results from any simulations.  So, what I am looking for is some kind of 
advice (or opinions) in respect to the most efficient combination of 
these tools.  For instance, would it be advisable to drop Python 
altogether and exclusively work with a combination of Netlogo and R?  Or 
is the versatility of Python useful?

Tom