Rankk.org Topic - Programming Python

• Programming Python

  Posted by Pha. Sphinx 6553 from on 2007-04-22 16:24:56

  Just borrowed the book from the library and reading it at moment...

  When the idea of Rankk was conceived, I didn't have the luxury of time to read that much about Python. I remember skimming through a couple of chapters of some Python book to get a general feel of its syntax and then plunging into the coding as I couldn't wait to get started.

  There was quite a bit of figuring out at the beginning - things like how to iterate over lists, dictionaries, etc. The indentation required a bit of getting used to too, but it has become pretty natural now.

  Compared to Perl, the learning curve for Python is probably less steep. Perl has references and deferencing which are additional concepts to grasp but Python has none of those and things work just fine.

  Also, I find it easier to manipulate lists and dictionaries in Python. Both use the square brackets [] for accessing. In Perl,  lists (arrays) are subscripted by [] while dictionaries (hashes) by {}. Additionally, an array variable is prefixed by @ and a hash variable by %.

  But of course, there're areas where the snake loses its power and ease of use to Perl the camel. Whenever I've to do some regex, I find myself going back to Perl.

  Also, Perl has no lack of modules which are readily available from a central location - cpan. Not so with Python. I remember Bio and I had to do a lot of googling to find the modules we needed.

  But overall, in terms of code readability and learning curve, Python wins.

  If I've to code a new site now, Python will be considered among the options. Before, it was either Perl or PHP.

  Any thoughts to share?

  Last edited on 2007-04-26 23:41:13 by Pha. Sphinx

  5 +votes | 1 −votes

  Huuuuuuu
• Programming Python

  Posted by Viz. neoeon 106 from on 2007-04-24 05:20:52 Reply

  Python is a great language. I like the simplistic approach to the syntax - python programms are understood even by people not familiar with python. While sometimes perl-Programmer don't get the gist of their programms after a week. (No flamewar intended - just an observation from my daily work)

  Do you know the Zen of Python?

  >>>import this

   Personally I like that kind of stuff

   In my opinion the most useful resource on the web about python is the python cookbook:

   http://aspn.activestate.com/ASPN/Python/Cookbook/

   And probably the best way to learn python (especially for people who like solving riddles) is to attend the python challenge (www.pythonchallenge.com)

  3 +votes | 0 −votes

  There are 10 types of people in the world: Those who understand binary and those who don't
• • Re^2: Programming Python

    Posted by Pha. Sphinx 6553 from on 2007-04-24 09:26:40 Reply
    I was there - thepythonchallenge - briefly. It has some challenges not found on other sites, which is nice because you're exposed to new ideas. But it's highly tailored for Python, particularly in later challenges. It's good if you're really into Python, but not so appealing if you wanted to learn about programming in general.

    Last edited on 2007-04-24 10:55:20 by Pha. Sphinx

    2 +votes | 0 −votes

    Huuuuuuu
• Programming Python

  Posted by Viz. neoeon 106 from on 2007-04-25 23:13:07 Reply

  Thats true - the pythonchallenge is very good as a python training - but not meant to be solved with other languages.

  But I've heard of people who did with other languages mostly perl - another guy did the first 10 levels only with  the linux bash ... *g*

    

  4 +votes | 0 −votes

  There are 10 types of people in the world: Those who understand binary and those who don't