Re: What's Perl good at or better than Python.

I don't look at it in a technical light, but rather how do you wish to be shaped by the tools you use and create; and the people you interact with and learn from. For example, here's a short list of how I view the choice differential.

Use Perl if:

primary use unix, BSD, linux
care about portability and longevity of your work
prefer master of the language and workflow efficiency
are familiar with and like the Unix^tm philosphy for tools
believe that a user community exists such that you tend to mastery (i.e., believe that iron sharpens iron)
see the value of an unbroken linkage to unix wizards of the past
not only comfortable with, but are actually attracted to the idea of being among a class of remnant working and toiling for the day that Perl will be rediscovered and appreciated

Use Python if:

primarily use Windows or are agnostic to the OS
don't care about the longevity or portability of your work
wish to be a jack o' all trade
prefer to be part of the herd

Comment on Re: What's Perl good at or better than Python.

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Re^2: What's Perl good at or better than Python. by stevieb (Canon) on Oct 17, 2021 at 05:27 UTC
Both Python and Windows work equally well regardless of the OS. In fact, I code in both languages on both Unix and Windows, and even use the same IDE cross-platform and in many cases, cross-language. About the jack of all trades comment... I'm a jack of all trades in both languages, but I've also written some extremely complex and significantly focused applications and suites using both Perl and Python. In reality, it was Perl that allowed me to become such a good jack of all trades. That skill just transferred over to other languages nicely.	[reply]
Re^2: What's Perl good at or better than Python. by Marshall (Canon) on Oct 17, 2021 at 04:40 UTC
I think you vastly underestimate Python. The sheer number of new people who are learning Python vastly exceeds the number of new people who are learning Perl. The huge amount of code that is currently being written in Python will ensure its longevity. From what I can see, continuing Python 3.X releases show a vibrant language that is expanding with new features and capability. I will confess to also being somewhat of a "Perl bigot" and I love Perl. However, Python is a "growing force" whether we "like" it or not! There will be certain tasks that Perl is much better at than Python. There will also be a lot of tasks where the difference just doesn't matter.	[reply]