Newbie deluxe

[Dean Goodmanson]

"Zach" <zsmith at ponymail.com.nospam> wrote in message news:<hdDO8.29984$Hn4.969427 at news1.east.cox.net>...

> I've just started taking a look at Python (experienced in Delphi) and so far
> it looks very clean and comprehensible.  My question is, what are the
> fundamental differences and similarities between it and Perl?  I hear so
> much about these two languages, especially in Linux circles and just
> wondered what sets them apart.  

This is an interesting article: http://www.prescod.net/python/why.html

> Can full fledged graphical applications be
> built with Python or does it lean more towards scripting?  

If you do like WXPython & Rapid GUI (You /did/ mention Delphi), also
check out the PythonCard project: http://pythoncard.sourceforge.net/

>> I'm aware that it
> has OOP capabilities so I assume it reaches beyond just scripting but like I
> said, I've no experience with it.  I would like to broaden my coding skills
> with the addition of another language so any general opinions with regards
> to its usefulness are appreciated.

Broadening my programming language perspective was one of the primary
reasons I dug into Python.   I realized how important this was
studying Java (from a C/C++ background), and realized how wonderful
this CAN BE studying Python.  The shell/procedural perspective gives
you a "try it while it's fresh in my head" opportunity, which quickly
and easily allows you to wrap your procedural research in OO
classes...OO purists require that you map all classes before
implementation, but I don't find this to be the best case, especially
when you're getting familier with the language/technology. I digress,
yet that is where I find Python very useful, and wish other languages
(C#) provided a shell epxerience.  BTW, Jython is on my To-Do list,
and where I'd consider starting if you're heading into a Java project.
 ( http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/jythoness/ ,
http://www.onjava.com/pub/a/onjava/2002/03/27/jython.html ... and
since I'm here, O'Reilly's Safari is a fairly cheap way to get your
hands on the book resources you're not sure you want to invest in. )

Python's "batteries included" and open source initiative takes you
beyond learning the language to learning and experimenting with modern
technologies, and if you're looking into deep comp. sci. studies I
don't think you'll be disappointed with opportunities to find and
experiment with classical algorithm implementation or specialized
projects.

I'm not sure what meant by "coding skills", but by shear speed of
coding & it's consistency with many coder's common thinking ("How I
Think") should support your endeavor.

Python's OOP will give you all you want. Unless you're a
purist...Python has multiple inheritance, and requires some extra
syntax for interfaces, and other mostly minor nuances, nuances are
familier to all "OO" languages....but if that's your style you'll
probably grumble about indention and : usage and will get over it
shortly after you've got a good grasp on the language. (Note the
/after/ part, you'll probalby tune into Python quickly enough to start
pondering fundamentals, instead of still memorizing syntactic
features/stumbling blocks of other languages.) (For the c.l.py record,
I haven't been following the recent "why doesn't ... OO" discussions,
and I'm not qualified nor want to comment on Python as a functional
language. But mention it in case that's what Zach may be looking for
in expanding his coding skills.)

When you get perplexed, the python mailing lists, especially the Tutor
list, are friendly environments for your questions/befuddlements.

My 2 cents flattened by a train of associations,

-Dean