Re^3: Perl versus VB

I think the net effect is that VB can get you to the same (mostly) place as perl. You just have to work much, much harder

That's a non-statement. Perl is implemented in C, which is compiled to machine code, so by definition both C as well as machine code can get you to the same place as Perl. The same applies for most any non-crippled language. I'm not sure anyone would be insane enough to try machine code for most of their tasks, though.. :) (And that's not to say I even hate machine code - written in assembly, anyway. When I do need it, I love it - getting another 400% speed-up after you did all your algorithm homework is great. I've done a bit of low-level graphics in my time and enjoyed that a lot.)

Makeshifts last the longest.

Comment on Re^3: Perl versus VB

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Re^4: Perl versus VB by diotalevi (Canon) on Jan 18, 2003 at 20:05 UTC
I think the net effect is that VB can get you to the same (mostly) place as perl. You just have to work much, much harder That's a non-statement. Perl is implemented in C, which is compiled to machine code, so by definition both C as well as machine code can get you to the same place as Perl. What are you on? I'm comparing VB to perl as practical languages for real work (as in what I spent most of yesterday doing for pay). You're saying that they are both of equal power because at root, they can do the same things. I'm saying that perl has more shortcuts than VB does and as such it's more effective (in that sense) as a business programming language. Of course, I didn't use perl because my database doesn't support it and neither does my development team (of which I am a member). That isn't a a quction about what is possible, it's a question of what is possible given other constraints. Fun Fun Fun in the Fluffy Chair	[reply] [d/l]
Re^5: Perl versus VB by Aristotle (Chancellor) on Jan 18, 2003 at 20:19 UTC
I said any complete language can do the job any other can, somehow. Nowhere did I imply that this means all languages are created equal (in fact, very much not so), and nowhere was I disagreeing with you or making any statement about your (non-)choice of VB or anything else. You mentioned that VB gets you places at a much slower pace than Perl - I was pointing out that in fact, the pace is the only criterion when considering a language in the abstract (outside other factors you mention like team compatibility, PHB mandates etc). Makeshifts last the longest.	[reply]
Re^6: Perl versus VB by diotalevi (Canon) on Jan 18, 2003 at 21:11 UTC
Oh, well then I misunderstood you.	[reply]