Why use Python when we've got Perl?

[Ian Clarke]

> Unbelievably stupid subject, eh? 

Yes, but there is a subtle difference between this and my original
subject of "Why use Perl when we've got Python?".  One difference
between Python and Perl is that Perl was already around when Python was
first created.  Thus, to suggest that Python is unnecessary given the
fact that we have Perl is saying that Guido wasted his time in creating
Python.  The suggestion that Perl could be superseded by Python (which
is a more recently conceived language) is less ridiculous.

Perhaps my original subject was designed to grab people's attention, but
the body of the message indicated that I was merely seeking knowledge
about Perl from those who know more than me.  If the quality of a post
is to be determined solely by its subject, then you are just as guilty
as you perceive me to be (for posting with this subject).

> I certainly thought so when it was
> shoved at us.  The flame war begun in comp.lang.perl.misc isn't doing
> anyone any good, and then coming over to comp.lang.python to stir up the
> shock troops to send in a few commandos is even worse.  I don't think
> you'd like it if we in comp.lang.perl.misc sent 100,000 script kiddies
> over to comp.lang.python to rant at you guys about how K31L they though
> Perl was and how L at M3 they thought Python was.

Actually of all the replies to my posts, yours were the only to
descended into personal insults, even as I did my best to remain polite
and respectful for someone I don't know.  Particularly amusing that you
(apparently) have killfiled my emails when it was you who started carbon
copying my email address in your replies.

As for the "flame war" doing nobody any good, I think it has answered my
original question quite nicely, and probably educated many about the
pros and cons of Perl versus Python.

Ian.

> Do you want to learn or do you want to flame?  Learn?  Really?  Ok, here's
> all you have to do.  Go write a medium-sized program comprising many
> hundreds of lines, broken up into several files and selectively imported,
> but do so in whichever language you know the *least*.  That's the way
> to learn, not though wars.  There's no way we can learn from one another
> by flaming.  And there's plenty to learn.  Everyone should do this.

As I have said before - if your only advice is "Go find out yourself, I
can't be bothered to tell you", then perhaps you should refrain from
posting.

Ian.