Python or Perl?

[ayu]

I can't decide which one I want to use ....

I need a new scripting language that I can use for general purpose coding, C/C++ is for my bigger projects, and PHP just wont cut it any more. And let's not speak about Java, it's a horrible language (just don't like it, no reason needed)

I think the best thing to do is to buy 2 books, one on Perl and one on Python, and try them both.

Anyone have any thoughts about any of them that would help me in my decision? ; )

[Gogeta70]

PHP won't cut it? O_o oh well.

I would say python, that way you have our very own python guru - maboroshi - to help you with any questions ^_^

Although, i think b_b knows perl... so he may be able to help you with that.

[maboroshi]

I have no comment both are good languages to learn

I just stuck with python perhaps cause I am crazy

Most people will argue a lot about this topic.

[leetnigga]

Both are excellent choices.

I stuck with Python because it looks cleaner and I've grown quite fond of things such as Sage and Werkzeug.

Work with both of them a little and see which you prefer. There's no bad choice in my opinion.

[lilrofl]

A little joke that I read when trying to decide which language to learn. After reading this I asked around and found unanimously python accepted as the better choice... but it's also the only one that I've become functional with, so I may be a bit narrow minded


EXTERIOR: DAGOBAH--DAY
With Yoda strapped to his back, Luke climbs up one of the
many thick vines that grow in the swamp until he reaches the
Dagobah statistics lab. Panting heavily, he continues his
exercises--grepping, installing new packages, logging in as
root, and writing replacements for two-year-old shell scripts
in Python.

YODA: Code! Yes. A programmer's strength flows from code maintainability. But beware of Perl. Terse syntax... more than one way to do it... default variables. The dark side of code maintainability are they. Easily they flow, quick to join you when code you write. If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will.

LUKE: Is Perl better than Python?

YODA: No... no... no. Quicker, easier, more seductive.

LUKE: But how will I know why Python is better than Perl?

YODA: You will know. When your code you try to read six months from now.

[ayu]

@lilrofl
hahaha ... XD

[bad_brain]

well, personally I would say "go for Perl!!"....but I have to admit it's more because of a romantic old-school Unix sympathy and not because of logic...
actually Python the "better" language because it forces you to write clean code....the only disadvantage compared to Perl is the lack of documentation (maybe not really for the Python core itself, but at least for APIs that enable Python to work together with other platforms like Apache for example).

[pseudo_opcode]

Perl has a very steep learning curve... and like stated before, "More than one ways to do every thing"

On the other hand i dont know shit about python, but since we have Dr.Mab, and he does amazing things with it.. i'd say go for it,

[pseudo_opcode]

btw i am really curious as to why php wont cut it?
And it wont cut what?

[ayu]

btw i am really curious as to why php wont cut it?
And it wont cut what?

Because it's more meant for dynamic sites. And it's too nice, allows sloppy code. I simply want something new to chew on, a scripting language that I can use as my "standard" scripting language when I just need to write some random script, and imo php feels too small for that purpose sometimes.

And it wont cut my bread in the mornings.

[lilrofl]

And it wont cut my bread in the mornings.

Python cuts my bread in the morning... and fries and egg on it...

[pseudo_opcode]

btw i am really curious as to why php wont cut it?
And it wont cut what?

Because it's more meant for dynamic sites. And it's too nice, allows sloppy code. I simply want something new to chew on, a scripting language that I can use as my "standard" scripting language when I just need to write some random script, and imo php feels too small for that purpose sometimes.

And it wont cut my bread in the mornings.

I have written system applications and monitoring scripts in php, they are in action as we speak, I wrote a complete security monitoring suite for 30+ servers in php, all run via command line.

Why? i found the specific functions and libraries required were better supported in php than they were in perl.

About sloppy coding, every language allows it, if one didnt then Information Security would only have been a hypothesis.

But many people say perl is system admin's best friend, where bash limits you, perl will expand your possibilities.

[ayu]

Python cuts my bread in the morning... and fries and egg on it...

That's awfully convenient =o

[lilrofl]

Python cuts my bread in the morning... and fries and egg on it...

That's awfully convenient =o

Yeah, it's good about that... however it forgets to add milk to the eggs which makes them come out flat :/

[ayu]

Yeah, it's good about that... however it forgets to add milk to the eggs which makes them come out flat :/

ah, shame : /