Why use Perl when we've got Python?!

[Abigail]

John Stevens (jstevens at bamboo.verinet.com) wrote on MMCLXXIV September
MCMXCIII in <URL:news:slrn7r9nde.h3c.jstevens at bamboo.verinet.com>:
%% On 14 Aug 1999 02:32:12 GMT, Sam Holden <sholden at pgrad.cs.usyd.edu.au> wrote:
%% >On 13 Aug 1999 20:04:03 -0700, John W. Stevens <jstevens at basho.fc.hp.com> wrote:
%% >>> In comp.lang.perl.misc, 
%% >>>     "John W. Stevens" <jstevens at basho.fc.hp.com> writes:
%% >>> :$b[ 2 ] = $c;
%% >>> :
%% >>> :> That's just fine in Perl.  It's not fine in Python, because Python
%% >>> :> won't automatically grow an array.
%% >>> :
%% >>> :'Cause it doesn't have arrays (or, at least, not built in ones).
%% >>> 
%% >>> Gosh, that's a feature.  NOT.
%% >>
%% >>Perl doesn't have lists.  Python doesn't have built-in arrays.
%% >
%% >You should learn some perl you now..
%% >
%% >@array = (1,10,20,30);
%% >$from_list = (1,10,20,30);
%% >$from_array = @array;
%% >print "$from_list\n$from_array\n";
%% >
%% >Will output :
%% >30
%% >4
%% 
%% The @ prefix denotes an array.  You, yourself, should learn
%% Perl.  Calling an array a list, doesn't make it one.

He doesn't. Please, get yourself a copy of Learning Perl and learn Perl.
I don't see any @ in "(1, 10, 20, 30)", so your point is totally moot.

%% >Perl has lists,
%% 
%% Not built in, it doesn't, unless you define array and list as being
%% different words for exactly the same type/class.

Arrays and list are 2 different things in Perl. Perl has lists. They
are however, not the same as Python lists. Don't assume that because
someone mentions "list", Python lists are meant.

%% >if you know perl you would know this.
%% 
%% I know Perl.  You need to learn Python.

The extend of Perl knowledge you have shown in this thread is less
than the average script kiddie knows.

%% >If you program in perl 
%% >and don't know this, then you must get very very confused at times.
%% 
%% If @ denotes list, then the following Perl would be illegal:

But it doesn't denote lists. Your premise is wrong.

%% @ary = (1, 2, 3);
%% @ary[5] = "Test";
%% 
%% But, obviously, this is not illegal.

Indeed. The second line is considered bad style though, and it will
be flagged as a warning with -w. What the second line has to do with
lists, I have no idea. The first line contains a list, on the RHS of
the assignment.

%% >>I will assume that a list module is available for Perl.
%% >
%% >No it is one of the built in bits... like hashes and arrays.
%% 
%% Really?  What is the prefix character that denotes a list?

There isn't. Just like there isn't a prefix character for operators.
There isn't a prefix character for decimal numbers either. What's
your point?

%% >>I wasn't trying to compare features, I was simply pointing out
%% >>that your comparison was Apples and Oranges, and therefore at
%% >>least somewhat invalid.
%% >
%% >Only because you have no idea what you are talking about.
%% 
%% :-)
%% 
%% Coming from somebody who doesn't know the difference from *EMULATING*
%% a list with an array, vs. a real array, that is a good one!

Let me repeat that: You have no idea what you're talking about.

%% Now I suppose that you will tell me that Perl has stacks, too!

I don't think he will. Sam has shown more Perl knowledge than you have.



Abigail
-- 
package Just_another_Perl_Hacker; sub print {($_=$_[0])=~ s/_/ /g;
                                      print } sub __PACKAGE__ { &
                                      print (     __PACKAGE__)} &
                                                  __PACKAGE__
                                            (                )


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