I'd always use a Perl implementation in preference to an external program for two reasons:

  1. Portability: the Perl version will probably work anywhere that Perl works. An external program probably won't.
  2. Efficiency: opening an external program means that your operating system has to start a new process. Doing the all work inside the original process is more efficient.

There are probably other good reasons, but those two are enough for me.

--
<http://dave.org.uk>

"The first rule of Perl club is you do not talk about Perl club."
-- Chip Salzenberg

In reply to Re: System vs modules by davorg
in thread System vs modules by uksza

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