Automating FTP file transfers

[Cameron Laird]

In article <aptsb.7427$lm1.51312 at wards.force9.net>,
Limey Drink <bhicking at bhicking.plus.com> wrote:
>Thanks very much for the help guys I now know how to connect using python
>ftp library and I am happy with this but...
>
>Just wondering about the bigger picture with regards to sys admin scripts,
>in your opinion, is creating these type of system administration scripts
>preferable/easier than using say bash scripts, or DOS .bat scripts ?
>
>Because I don't have alot of experience of sys admin and shell scripting I'm
>just wondering if I am applying Python for one of its intended uses doing
>these type of scripts.
>
>IMHO i would rather learn and stick with Python than to learn all the
>different scripting languages as it is cleaner and more powerful and also if
>the script is written correctly it seems could be cross platform.
>
>Just wondering if you think I should be trying to execute the in built OS
>programs such as FTP etc. calling them from python or should I be using the
>libraries that come with Python such as FTPlib and say if I wanted to send
>email should I be using the SMTP lib rather than say executing the mail
>program in unix and passing arguments from a Python script.
>
>It would hear interesting to hear your views on this as it would be nice if
>I can gain from others experience and not make the same mistakes.
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Yes.

That is, I take very seriously this question of what tools
are best for sysads; I'll be running a series on the subject
most of next year in *System Administration* magazine.  My
short answer (to which I might return later in the week) is
that, yes, Python makes a great vehicle, particularly be-
cause its networking is so much easier *and* more potent
than what bash, .bat, and so on offer.  While there are
counter-arguments, I think you'll find Python quite satisfy-
ing, and you will *not* be tempted to return to bash and 
friends.
-- 

Cameron Laird <claird at phaseit.net>
Business:  http://www.Phaseit.net