In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, Russ P. <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >On Jan 23, 7:42 pm, George Sakkis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> On Jan 23, 8:14 pm, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: >> >> > The annual Linux Journal survey is online now for any Linux users who >> > want to vote for Python. http://www.linuxjournal.com/node/1006101 >> >> ... >> >> 18. What is your favorite programming language? >> >> (15 choices, Python not included) >> >> 19. What is your favorite scripting language? >> >> o Python >> >> o Perl >> >> (5 more choices) >> >> Python is much more than a "scripting language" (whatever this means, >> other than a semi-derogatory term used by clueless PHBs). Sorry, I'll >> pass. >> >> George > > >Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but I think of a Python >"script" as a flat source file with no (or few) functions or classes, >whereas a full-blown "program" has functions and classes. Both have >their place. > >I agree it is unfortunate that the Linux World poll classified Python >as a "scripting language." I suspect they did that because Python is >not (typically) compiled and does not have static typing.
In the context of linux a programming language is a language that generates an ELF binary executable to be stored in a /.../bin/ directory. A scripting language is a language whose programs are normally distributed in human-readable form. It is appropriate to call such a program a script. If the first two characters is "#!" and the execution bit is set, it is a script in the linux sense. So as far as I can tell it boils down to a clear technical distinction, and I'm sure they didn't mean offence. Groetjes Albert -- -- Albert van der Horst, UTRECHT,THE NETHERLANDS Economic growth -- like all pyramid schemes -- ultimately falters. [EMAIL PROTECTED]&ar&c.xs4all.nl &=n http://home.hccnet.nl/a.w.m.van.der.horst -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list