Python Debugger Friendliness

Bill Baker (baker@spk.hp.com)
Wed, 23 Mar 94 9:47:03 PST

Hello all,
Until this week I was a interested bystander to python, having never actually
programmed in the language but possessing of the latest 1.0.1 version and full
documentation. I have finally taken the plunge and used python for my latest
assignment for a telecourse I am enrolled in. After the smallest of learning
curves, I found heaven! I have never seen such a clean and clear language! I
think most :) of my in-line documenting is a thing of the past.
Now to my request. After looking through the pdb.doc I had the hardest time
attempting to single step through my program. Is there a better way than to
comment out the function calls in the main loop and then importing my program in
a `pdb.run('import myprog')`? I am coming from a strong Perl background and I
do miss the ability to pass a '-d' parameter to the interpreter and getting a
virtual clone of the cdb debugger.
Before stumbling upon python, I had just convinced my workgroup to start
replacing their shell scripting with Perl code. I think it isn't too late to
push in the direction of Python (it seems everyone is put off from Perl by all
that 'line noise' syntax) because of it's strong object orientation, but the
debugger should be easier to use.

Bill

--
 *---------------------------------+--------------------+---------------------*
 |   E-mail : Voice : Fax : Bomb   | US Postal Service  |   Parcel Services   |
 *---------------------------------+--------------------+---------------------*
 | Email: baker@hpspk7c.spk.hp.com | Hewlett Packard Co | Hewlett Packard Co  |
 | Commercial: 1-509-921-3515      | P.O. Box 2500      | 24001 E Mission Ave |
 | TelNet:     1-921-3515          | Spokane, WA        | Liberty Lake, WA    |
 | Fax:        1-509-921-3725      |         99220-2500 |          99019-9599 |
 | Bomb: 47 33' 30" N 117 33' 40" W|                    |                     |
 *---------------------------------+--------------------+---------------------*