Python vs. PHP (& Java?)

[jerry_spicklemire at my-deja.com]

  "Ben Ocean" wrote:

> Since I started this thread two weeks ago (I apologize: I knew it
> would cause problems but I just had to know...), I've come to these
> conclusions:
>
> PHP is a hacker's language. Why else would GNU choose Python to write
> Mailman, O'Reilly not publish a book on the subject, etc.?
> PHP appears to be a quick fix.

My quess is is that a couple lasting effects will come of the current
popularity that PHP enjoys, especially among Linux Webbies.

First, PHP will continue to develop, and expand it's reach.

Second, many Webbies will have discovered the power of coding to solve
very real problems with Web Development, independent of proprietary
restrictions.

Both of these are ultimately Good Things (tm). The second, though may
have the seemingly ironic side effect of leading many of the same folks
who start dabbling with programming via PHP to look for something even
more powerful, flexible, and mature. To the folks who hang out on this
list, the place to start the search is obvious. ;)

Beyond the quest to find a "better Web Language", plenty of Webbies are
coming to the conclusion that what is really needed is not just a
programming language, so they can each build everything from scratch.
That's where Zope comes in, with a wealth of built-in functionality, a
rapidly growing toolkit of ready made modules, and a community culture
that does credit to everyone involved. Reminds me a lot of, well, the
Python community!

> Python took a long time coming because good things don't happen
> overnight.
> It's clean code: the opposite of a hacker's language.

No argument here.

> Python can efficiently do round trips as good as any language most of
> the time.

By Jove, I thinks he's got it!

> I may still have to learn Java because it's robust and more popular
> (currently) than Python :(

But think how much more you'll appreciate Python afterward!

Laater,
Jerry S.


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