Python equivalent of CPAN Library modules

[David Hurt]

Hello,

Before I begin, I want to state that I am a python AND perl user.  I typically 
prefer python.

At last year's python conference, the theme seemed to be "batteries included" 
referring to the high availability and quality of pre-built functionality in 
the python standard library.

One thing I think may help python is the availability of even more "batteries" 
in the form of additional modules available.

One such source may be the perl CPAN repository.  The CPAN has a collection of 
very high quality libraries for a variety of applications.  If these libraries 
could be converted to equivalent python, then the libraries could be used for 
python programs :)

I think this could be done, as python is roughly equivalent to perl in terms 
of language features (dynamic structures, regular expressions, hash=dict, 
array=list, etc).  I have even done some things like this before Python->perl 
conversions and perl->python conversions

I have a couple of questions before I start on some grand effort.

1.  Has anyone looked at doing something like this before?
2.  Would anyone be interested in the results?
3.  Is this even a worthwhile effort?

I am a part-time grad student and full-time employee.  I may use this effort 
as a project for credit if possible.

My general plan is this

1.  Examine the CPAN archive and map the Perl modules to equivalent python 
standard library modules (and contributed modules in the Vaults of Parnassus) 
(I imagine that this will be a HUGE effort)
2.  Get a list of the most commonly requested CPAN modules
3.  Convert the highest CPAN module that is not already mapped to python and 
submit to the Vaults of Parnassus
4.  Repeat steps 1-3 until some arbitrary time or until the "most important" 
20-30% of the CPAN modules have a python equivalent.

I would appreciate any feedback on the practicality/usefulness/etc. of this 
effort.

Thanks,
David Hurt
davehurt at flash.net