this post was submitted on 10 Sep 2023
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For me, Python replaced Perl 15 years ago. I know Perl is a great language, but it's too "write-only." Python replaced both BASIC and Perl at the same time, even with the problems of migration from v2 to v3. Python can also do scripts to replace Bash and PowerShell. I don't see myself learning Perl now, it would be a waste of time.
Perl was revolutionary at the time with CGI and regexes, but it's not needed anymore.
I wish python was not indentation aware. It has discouraged me to learn it.
Even if you're writing JavaScript, you should be using proper indentation. What an odd thing to keep you from learning it.
I write code, indentation is something that the editor just does automatically. If I want to change indent settings I just mark the complete buffer, press tab, and magic happens.
I've been using python for various stuff for a few years now as well, and the indent thing still annoys me.
Things get messy though, when you have to break the rules of indentation once in a while or when you have “improper “ indentation. Whitespace is a stupidly messy thing. Indentation should be a style guide, not part of the language semantics.
No, it really is horrible. I’m an old timer who learned on FORTRAN and other languages that were still suffering from the punchcard era. Making logic based on character positioning, and adding unnecessary restriction, is just so frustrating and tedious. We got away from such constraints by the 1990’s. Let’s not go back.
Sure enough, my kid’s Comp Sci teacher tried to use Python because he read how easy it is to use, but no one succeeded because of the formatting. No one succeeded except my kid, who also became a rock star by helping kids reformat. Anyhow, back when computers were primitive and limited, such restrictions were understandable. They’re not anymore.
Currently I’m a fan of Groovy. All the capability of Java without silly requirements like semi-colons. All the simplicity of Python without silly formatting restrictions
If that's your only reason, I'd encourage to try it anyway. Logical indentation is initially weird but it can be overcome very fast.
It has never been an issue for me in 20 years. If you move code, you cut a whole paragraph, paste, and indent appropriately.
If I move code in non-python code, I cut a whole paragraph, paste, and I'm done if that's all I wanted to do.
Your code won't be indented properly, same problem as Python unless you have a formatting tool in your setup.
It won't matter. It will still compile correctly every time, as opposed to python, and that's my point. Choice. Choice is the key here.
Python isn't (generally) compiled. Have you used python before?
I know Python is interpreted, but regardless, my point still stands. Just replace compile with run correctly.
lol, then you just don't like Python. You can't disassociate the two things.
Yup, I don't like it because of it.
You flat out haven't used it.
Correct. I don't think we're disagreeing. The language has one deal-breaker to me and that's all I need to know.
That's like saying "you won't be friends with Bob because he's likes to go to smoking-friendly places all the time and you don't? BUT YOU DON'T KNOW THE GUY!!!!!"
That is a bizarre opinion.
Nope. It isn't.
You don't like your good ol' COBOL??
:-)
Is COBOL indentation aware?
To the extreme :-)
Today I learned. Thanks!
It’s punch card-column aware, if you're talking about that.