I have programmed in both worlds, hopefully below will help you a tad. Perl is an obfuscating(sp?) language. The amount of one liners and the "Theres more then one way to do it" motto make programming in it difficult, and oh goodness if you have to actually go back and update/repair things, well lets just say that was one of my least favorite jobs. As they say, Perl is the System Administrators glue, using it only to do odd tasks that need to be done, such as scanning logs, reporting them in proper format and mailing them to an offsite mail account. Python on the other hand, is more understandable and easier on the syntax eyes. Its built to be Object Oriented, which is a KEY concept you must learn and understand as you become a programmer. If I remember at all correctly, its syntax is *similar* to basic, and kinda similar to ASP(active server pages). Now down to my point, if there is one obvious way to do something, use python, otherwise use perl. Note I prefer Perl, but I'm slowly moving on to Python(personally speaking). Please also note that, no matter what I say, you should make the final call for yourself, Python is the ultimate *newbie* language, teaching the most advanced and critical programming skills just by using the language. I learned C first, it wasnt to difficult, I still have yet to do useful things with it, but I still learned all my programming concepts from it. Hope that helps in some way or another, Justin Cook Themes.org Staff mailto:jsc at themes.org http://kde.themes.org ----- Original Message ----- From: <isla0005 at tc.umn.edu> To: <tclug-list at mn-linux.org> Sent: Wednesday, September 13, 2000 12:03 PM Subject: RE: [TCLUG:21269] Beginning - Language Perl or Python? > > I used to program in GW Basic and Q basic and I like perl more > than Python, but that does not mean you will like it better. > But like others said, perl is a little more friendly and has > ample support on the web. > I guess it's a metter of personal preference. You can find introductory > codes on the internet which can help you make a choice. > > Apu > > > > --- Original Message --- > Ryan Ware <RWare at INTERPLASTIC.com> Wrote on > Wed, 13 Sep 2000 10:40:28 -0500 > ------------------ > Hello all, I am starting to teach myself to program using a scripting > language. I've heard that both Perl and Python are powerful > and fairly easy > to use. > > Are there any inherent advantages to one or the other for the > beginning > programmer? By beginning I mean no other programming experience > other that > a little basic a long time ago. (That should probably be a long > long time > ago, as in the beginning of Star Wars). > > I am interested in eventually learning one or both and would > like to hear of > any personal experience with either on, or where you think it > shines or > doesn't. > > Thanks > > |Ryan Ware | > |Interplastic Corporation | > |651-766-3820 | > > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------- > To unsubscribe, e-mail: tclug-list-unsubscribe at mn-linux.org > For additional commands, e-mail: tclug-list-help at mn-linux.org > > > > > ----- > Sent using MailStart.com ( http://MailStart.Com/welcome.html ) > The FREE way to access your mailbox via any web browser, anywhere! > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------- > To unsubscribe, e-mail: tclug-list-unsubscribe at mn-linux.org > For additional commands, e-mail: tclug-list-help at mn-linux.org --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: tclug-list-unsubscribe at mn-linux.org For additional commands, e-mail: tclug-list-help at mn-linux.org