Python equivalent of CPAN Library modules

[Hamish Lawson]

David Hurt wrote:
> One thing I think may help python is the availability of even 
> more "batteries" in the form of additional modules available.
> One such source may be the perl CPAN repository.

I think this is an excellent idea. When I can't find a Python module
for a given task, I usually check out CPAN to see if there is a Perl
module that I can borrow and translate. I have myself thought before
about suggesting a systematic translation of the most useful Perl
modules, so I'd be willing to help where I can. There are a few gaps
in the Python module space, and I think it would help Python if those
were plugged (of course, by the same taken there are many modules
available for Python that aren't available for Perl).

> My general plan is this
> 
> 1.  Examine the CPAN archive and map the Perl modules to equivalent python 
> standard library modules (and contributed modules in the Vaults of Parnassus) 
> (I imagine that this will be a HUGE effort)
> 2.  Get a list of the most commonly requested CPAN modules
> 3.  Convert the highest CPAN module that is not already mapped to python and 
> submit to the Vaults of Parnassus
> 4.  Repeat steps 1-3 until some arbitrary time or until the "most important" 
> 20-30% of the CPAN modules have a python equivalent.

The number of modules in CPAN is huge and often there are several
different modules taking a different tack on solving the same basic
problem. Moreover a good number are probably quite specialised or may
be little used. I'd suggest not trying to map all the CPAN modules to
Python equivalents first off, but instead going straight to step 2 and
doing the attempted mapping for each CPAN module as you come to it.

Hamish Lawson