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Ask HN: Bet the farm. Python or PHP?

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Re: Ask HN: Bet the farm. Python or PHP?

#11

Post by emmett »

t0pj wrote: post #6
jrockway wrote: post #4

Why throw away Perl? You already know Perl, and Perl has lots of things that PHP and Python don't. Before you ditch Perl, look at DBIx::Class, Moose, and Catalyst. And the other 10,000 libraries on CPAN. Then look at the 500 or so libraries available for PHP. Perl has a really insane library culture, and it's very hard to give that up. I like the syntax of other languages better (Lisp is my favorite), but it's hard t…

I really would like to use PHP or Python in a big project to at least get some experience. I tell ya, I do love Perl. With limited exposure to PHP and Python, could you elaborate on some of the things PHP and Python are lacking compared to Perl?

Neither PHP nor Python have anything approaching CPAN. Ruby is slightly closer with Gems, but even that's a joke compared to the might of Perl libraries. Seriously, that's the big thing that's missing. Other than that both PHP and Python are prefectly servicable, although you're going to have an easier time finding smart Python developers than smart PHP developers (Blub hiring paradox).

Re: Ask HN: Bet the farm. Python or PHP?

#12

Post by t0pj »

iamdave wrote: post #5

>calendar/scheduling/notifications with some social networking Why? More and more web apps are coming out with social networking tied in, and very few of them succeed BECAUSE they have social networking tied in. Socializing a site is a bit more than giving people profile pages and enabling them the ability to "friend" people, at least that's how I look at it. So my question to you is this: how are you planning to mak…

Wow. Lots of questions. Thanks!

On a plan to make the social aspect work, is there a finite list of ways to choose from? I don't believe there's really only one way. It definitely seems that "social networking" could have a negative effect on my plan yet I hope to do things a little differently.

There will be some socializing benefits.

Re: Ask HN: Bet the farm. Python or PHP?

#14

Post by newt0311 »

emmett wrote: post #11
t0pj wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I really would like to use PHP or Python in a big project to at least get some experience. I tell ya, I do love Perl. With limited exposure to PHP and Python, could you elaborate on some of the things PHP and Python are lacking compared to Perl?

Neither PHP nor Python have anything approaching CPAN. Ruby is slightly closer with Gems, but even that's a joke compared to the might of Perl libraries. Seriously, that's the big thing that's missing. Other than that both PHP and Python are prefectly servicable, although you're going to have an easier time finding smart Python developers than smart PHP developers (Blub hiring paradox).

And perl has nothing approaching Python's readability. Perl may be easier to start with now but in 6 months, it will become a major headache. Read http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/3882 . Using Python would be an excellent choice imo.

Re: Ask HN: Bet the farm. Python or PHP?

#15

Post by t0pj »

newt0311 wrote: post #14
emmett wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Neither PHP nor Python have anything approaching CPAN. Ruby is slightly closer with Gems, but even that's a joke compared to the might of Perl libraries. Seriously, that's the big thing that's missing. Other than that both PHP and Python are prefectly servicable, although you're going to have an easier time finding smart Python developers than smart PHP developers (Blub hiring paradox).

And perl has nothing approaching Python's readability. Perl may be easier to start with now but in 6 months, it will become a major headache. Read http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/3882 . Using Python would be an excellent choice imo.

Thanks for the link.

That's one thing I love about Hacker News; all of the links y'all leave that lead to further study and growth.

Re: Ask HN: Bet the farm. Python or PHP?

#17

Post by t0pj »

rms wrote: post #8

Python... both languages are along far enough that they will meet all four of your points, but people that program in python are on average better programmers than PHP programmers. So it makes hiring good hackers easier by eliminating many of the bad hackers. Other than that, if you like the syntax of PHP, it is as good as python as long as you program using the MVC paradigm. Personally I like the syntax of python a…

I guess, for a lot of people, PHP would be easier to dive into than Python?

I get your point; without any other knowledge, you'd be better off selecting from a pool of Python developers than PHP developers when looking for good hackers. Correct?

Although I would be able to somehow separate the good hackers from bad by initially chosing Python, would you say that good hackers would also stay clear of opportunities where PHP is involved? What would facebook think about that? ;)

Just want to know your thoughts. Thanks.

Re: Ask HN: Bet the farm. Python or PHP?

#19

Post by xlnt »

t0pj wrote: post #17
rms wrote: post #8

Python... both languages are along far enough that they will meet all four of your points, but people that program in python are on average better programmers than PHP programmers. So it makes hiring good hackers easier by eliminating many of the bad hackers. Other than that, if you like the syntax of PHP, it is as good as python as long as you program using the MVC paradigm. Personally I like the syntax of python a…

I guess, for a lot of people, PHP would be easier to dive into than Python? I get your point; without any other knowledge, you'd be better off selecting from a pool of Python developers than PHP developers when looking for good hackers. Correct? Although I would be able to somehow separate the good hackers from bad by initially chosing Python, would you say that good hackers would also stay clear of opportunities whe…

php is not easier to dive into. it's messy and confusing. python and ruby are some of the easiest languages to learn.

Re: Ask HN: Bet the farm. Python or PHP?

#20

Post by t0pj »

binglo wrote: post #16

Why are you determined to use either Python or PHP in this latest project? I would make sure you have a good answer to that question before using something besides Perl.

I actually know Perl and Java pretty darn well.

I wish to constantly expand my understanding of computing in general, and learning a new language is a great way to go.

I hope to not only learn a new syntax or two but also learn to think in different ways. This works with human languages, too. Yosh!

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