On Thu, 25 Dec 2008, Owen Densmore wrote:
I'm writing a script that I realize might be useful for friends, and that got
me to wondering: what scripting languages are most universally available?
So, you can help: which of these languages are available on your computer?
Bash/Borne Shell
Awk
Perl
Python/Jython
Ruby/irb
Javascript (i.e. a command-line version like Rhino)
Groovy
BeanShell/PNuts (java interpreters with nifty add on features)
.. suggestions?
All current Macs running OS X 10.5.x should have GNU Bash 3.2.17 (1), Awk
ver. 20040207, Perl 5.8.8, Ruby 1.8.6, and Python 2.5.1 by default (this iMac
does and every Mac I've checked running 10.5.x). I think all Linux
versions will have Bash, Awk, Python by default.
Bash, Awk/Sed, Perl and Python are all common, Ruby's usually an easy
package install under most Linux distros.
Personally (just my opinion) I think Python lends itself to order more so
than PERL, but I'm sure there are more experienced programmers who might
not agree. I think Bash is frequently underrated....one can do a lot
with the shell if one knows how and is willing to do a bit of work.
There's a great "Shell Scripting Recipes" book by Chris Johnson, along
with the Robbins/Beebe book by O'Reilly and a number of other good ones.
-Nick
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Nicholas S. Frost
7 Avenida Vista Grande #325
Santa Fe, NM 87508
www.nickorama.com
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