Well, I hardly think that Perl is crap...
Your opinion of Python as compared to Perl is largely dependent on
matters of personal taste. As a fan of both languages, I'll try to
express the relative pros and cons of each.
Pros of Python:
- much cleaner, rational syntax.
- much more rational, understandable implementation of objects
- much easier to understand
- very modular design
- much more rational parameter passing
- much easier to implement data structures
Pros of Perl as of v4:
- less verbose.
- has defaults that allow normal programs to be written with
great ease. (ie, $_, <>, etc.)
- easier to write complicated file handlers.
Pros of Perl as of v5:
- more flexible object system
- more powerful module system. (Perl5 can selectively export
the internals of a module.)
- static, lexical scoping when you want it.
- references
Cons of Python:
- whitespace is significant in syntax. I hate that.
- everything is dynamic. No static checkability at all.
- often requires more verbose code than perl.
Cons of Perl as of v4:
- no objects
- very weak modules
- very twisted syntax. I mean, *very* twisted syntax. I've been using
perl for most of my quick hacks for at least 4 years, and I still get
confused.
Cons of Perl as of v5:
- the object/module system, while very powerful, is *damned* difficult
to understand.
- the syntax is even more confusing.
- references.
I have sneaking suspicions about relative speed, but since I don't
have documentation handy, I'll keep my mouth shut.
<MC>
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