in reply to (jeffa) Re: Perl IS a programming language, right?
in thread Perl IS a programming language, right?

It makes sense that perl and Java should collide
frequently. They 'feel' quite different to me on
so many levels. In perl, I feel closer to the computer.
I also feel I have more direct control over the data;
perl has such a rich set of data manipulators, I feel
numbed (encapsulated?) when I'm working in Java.
In Java, I feel like my head is filled with helium.
We code in the stratosphere, and implemented patterns
feel very theoretical. I can get lost in the abstractions.
With perl, I can get lost in the syntax, not the abstractions.
Does this make any sense?

I think the best way for me to describe Java vs. perl
programming for me is this: in Java, there's probably
only one *best* way to do something. In perl, there
are many ways of doing something, depending on what you
know how to do and what you really want. It's an
embedded dynamism that makes perl very flexible.

Rob

  • Comment on Re: (jeffa) Re: Perl IS a programming language, right?

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(jeffa) 3Re: Perl IS a programming language, right?
by jeffa (Bishop) on Dec 07, 2001 at 22:35 UTC
    The very flexible nature of Perl is both it's boon and it's bane when compared to Java. True, Perl might be better suited for small tasks and Java better for large projects. Type safety is a must when dealing with large teams of programmers (and have the nay-sayers even seen Class::Contract?) , but what most fail to understand is that once you strip away your frameworks, environments, and containers, what is left? Data munging. Perl is quite good at that, better than most.

    The idea of a programming environment independent of language is quite appealing to me and others. They just don't want Perl to be allowed to play in the sandbox. What i don't get is, what is so threatening about Perl? Why not use C# or Java to contain Perl code? Sounds like a powerful combo to me, because both languages lack Perl's raw munging ability. Are there any other languages that provide autovivification besides Perl?

    And on a sad note - i recently found myself in an argument with an old friend regarding C#. After he insulted me (and this site), i decided to end our 7 year friendship. Sad. I actually think he was simply trying to lure me into working with him at MicroSoft, but he chose to badger me instead of politely inquiring.

    My lesson? Just say 'no thanks' and move on.

    jeffa 

    L-LL-L--L-LL-L--L-LL-L--
-R--R-RR-R--R-RR-R--R-RR
F--F--F--F--F--F--F--F--
(the triplet paradiddle)
[reply]
      Your post is content-rich; I don't know where to begin...

      First, I've noticed that any-sized projects can be in
      any language, as long as the team is very small and
      has a very low turnover rate... so then, perl can find
      a niche in very large projects, but it's limited by
      the business environment, perhaps.

      Second, if perl were embedded into Java... I don't even
      know what I'm saying -- if perl and Java were somehow
      combined in an unholy matrimony... if it could be done
      successfully... I would be ecstatic. I've noted that
      Java really does lack things that perl takes for granted,
      such as the regexp package (ported to Java, but it
      doesn't give the same feel, does it?). And of course,
      Java is static. That's a new distinction in my mind,
      and I haven't fully realized its impact on my world.

      And finally, the maybe-soon-to-be-ubiquitous-or-soon-to-die C#.
      Have we all read Mr. Cringely's articles about that?
      http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/pulpit20011101.html
      Why does Microsoft sound more and more like some blend
      of Disney, Amway, and some funky cult?

      Rob

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