Jump to Navigation

Me on Twitter

  • RT @liamstack: This may be my favorite image from the pandemic https://t.co/bx8MZ3bGYX 2 years 42 weeks ago
  • RT @ThePracticalDev: Technology is the fastest-growing industry nowadays, which requires developers to keep up with all the improvements go… 2 years 42 weeks ago
  • Typical #antipattern in #mobile #French apps : blocking app access unless you update it. Don't they know about #API versioning ??? 2 years 42 weeks ago
  • RT @ArtifactsHub_: Ancient Egyptian dental work from 2000 BC https://t.co/9C0tGqu5wC 2 years 43 weeks ago
  • Excellent site about #batteries How to Prolong Lithium-based Batteries - Battery University - https://t.co/H8hUTm38qX 2 years 43 weeks ago
  • RT @SwiftOnSecurity: Breaking: CDC says fully-vaccinated people can turn off SMS 2FA, use the same password for everything again. 2 years 45 weeks ago
  • RT @acupoftim: [1/4] Bonsoir ! Demain sort ma nouvelle bd, "CANEVAS" et à ce sujet j'ai une minuscule demande à faire à vous qui aurez bien… 2 years 45 weeks ago
  • Solar System Cartogram - https://t.co/qU2p1x0WGY 2 years 51 weeks ago
  • RT @moshhamedani: #geek #humor https://t.co/mIVimI89Se 3 years 1 week ago
  • J'ai appris des choses https://t.co/kKMpCJ0TAr 3 years 1 week ago

Python versus Shell scripting : from experience

A quick "pros & cons" to choose between Python or Shell scripting, from what I've observed through the years.

This could probably apply to other high level script languages* vs shell.

* Like Ruby, but not like Perl, as it shares more with shells from my point of view, like unreadable syntax and execution speed.

Python vs Shell

Choose Python for :

  • its simple syntax : can be read even by non Python-speaking people. End users may not be scared to change scripts to fit their need.
  • portability : Python is actually more portable than shell because of ease of installation for any OS. Shell is theoretically portable but it's complicated to explain end users how to install the runtime (e.g. see cygwin). A Python script can be packaged into an executable program. There may be ways to bundle a script with the shell runtime.

Choose Shell for :

  • speed : except in case of bad code logic, shell scripts are usually a lot faster than Python's equivalents.
  • its ease to deal with external programs and system : shell's syntax is already made to test/pipe/chain easily existing programs, whereas Python requires some extra boilerplate. Shell also has built-in functions to deal directly with files and the system, whereas Python uses an object-oriented model, which may not be as handy.

Comments

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
  • Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.
  • E-Mail addresses are hidden with reCAPTCHA Mailhide.
  • Allowed HTML tags: <a> <em> <strong> <cite> <code> <ul> <ol> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd>
  • Vous pouvez activer la coloration syntaxique du code source à l'aide des balises suivantes: <code>, <blockcode>, <drupal5>, <drupal6>, <java>, <javascript>, <php>, <python>. The supported tag styles are: <foo>, [foo].
  • Twitter-style #hashtags are linked to search.twitter.com.

More information about formatting options

By submitting this form, you accept the Mollom privacy policy.