I guess I'm still considered a mod_perl / perl newbie. I started
learning perl 6 months
ago in anticipation of translating a CMS (Content Management System) I
wrote in PHP.
I considered Python, and C++ as alternatives. C++ was over kill and
would require
way too much development just to get going (why reinvent the wheel if I
don't have to.)
Python, seemed too similar to PHP for my tastes. I don't like being
"forced" to use
someone else's coding conventions unless I know there are valid reasons
for it.
With what I read about Python's white space issues, I thought it might
be more
tedious, rather than easier to maintain my 50+ files of code.
Once I started looking into perl I was blown away. Not only has perl
been the "swiss
army knife" of system administration for well over 10 years, but
mod_perl blows the
socks off of php.
So for my particular project I couldn't find a better solution.
I think the hardest part about learning perl (coming from developing in
php for 5 years) was the odd mix of syntax. It's a mixture of a couple
of
languages. Because I was new to unix and shell syntax it was a bit of
time before I started to feel comfortable. Considering 70% of the
internet
is run off of *nix flavored servers it's not a bad skill to have.
The benefits of having moved to perl from php are too many to count.
Just the efficiency of perl's string manipulation cut my code down by
up-to 50% in some cases. Perls abilities to be used both procedurally
as well Object Oriented makes it easy for me to use it which ever way
is most useful for my task.
Moving from PHP to Perl has been the smartest move I've made. Our
code is more secure (we use a proxy system to keep it completely
separate
from our client's file server.) Our system is more stable and
responsive.
And my code is 100% easier to maintain.
Although I could have used Python or even stuck with PHP and
accomplished
most of what I'm doing, it would take more time, and wouldn't be nearly
as much
fun. In my situation (building a CMS without funding, etc.) I don't
think I would
have made it this far without being inspired as I was by perl, mod_perl
and
all that they can do.
Did I mention CPAN?
My hat is off to the Perl/mod_perl community for giving such an
opportunity.
When in history has it been so bright?
Boysenberry
boysenberrys.com | habitatlife.com | selfgnosis.com
On Feb 16, 2006, at 7:41 AM, Clinton Gormley wrote:
It seems to me that a lot of people new to mod_perl and to Perl have
joined this mailing list recently.
And this is during a period when popular opinion (amongst those who
know
no better) seems to regard Perl as antiquated.
I'm delighted that new people are joining.
My question is, what prompted you? What made you choose Perl above
Java/.Net/Python/Ruby etc etc
Do you have experience of those languages? What appeals to you about
Perl? And how do you find your community experience/support compared to
the other languages you know?
clint
