I started studying Python3

I am encountering employment difficulties with Perl lately, so I decided to cross the gap. A "reasons why" post is also available.

I started less than one week ago, so coding is still a bit hard: I am mostly evaluating expressions in the repl, I use bpython and feel extremely satisfied with it.

For now, the feeling is smooth and I am quite happy: everything I am used to in Perl can be found in Python. I see no major differences between the two languages. I am a bit surprised how sometimes the Python core have batteries included, you don't necessarily need to install modules. The only thing I miss is Mojolicious, I mean, I know there are similar tools, but I have habits, and they should simply evolve.

Reading

So far I am reading:

• The Django Tutorial
• The Python tutorial
• Effective Python

Planning to read:

• The Quick Python Book

Language

Relatively to the language itself here are few things I noticed:

• absence of sigils (@those %things $you *know): I really dislike it, it makes code less readable in my opinion. I would be tempted to systematically use two_words syntax for variables. With sigils, you target easier what is a variable or what is a keyword. Maybe I am too much used to Perl and that on the long term, this is really a minor issue, especially that functions require parenthesis with Python3, you can’t write print 'perl is cute'.
• functions require parenthesis. It’s a lot of parenthesis typing, I guess my text editor is not configured the right way

Modules

• I miss Data::Printer, one of my favorite Perl debugging tools ever. I install it everywhere, even for the simplest project. I searched for equivalents, but none of the one that I found, like data_printer (directly inspired from the Perl implementation) or objprint are as simple to use out-of-the-box than Data::Printer, that also have a better display

Comments

[Joanna Folk]

Good luck Sebastien! So you started studying Perl, but have found it not commonly used and are jumping ship? I've heard Python is a good route to go. I am still trying to place out my feelers and figure out where abouts I want to go. Hopefully it'll come to light soon?

[🌌 Sébastien Feugère ☔]

I used Perl professionally recently and I thought it was doing the job. Unfortunately, the position came to an end after four years and what was an expertise became a red flag for recruiters, like “oh no a perlist”. I find it hilarious and tragic at the same time. Anyway, a good opportunity to learn something else.

[Joanna Folk]

I am not sure if I am supposed to like this, because it stinks. At least you're willing to change with the tides. It's difficult though, I think from what I've seen across the board developers are expected to be quite a bit. Something akin to a trendy cyborg. I want to see healthier practices introduced to the field =)

[Dave Hodgkinson]

Good luck retraining your finger memory!

[🌌 Sébastien Feugère ☔]

This parenthesis thing is really hard!

[Dave Hodgkinson]

Welcome to LISP.