Tcl vs Python

[Grimwaldi]

What are the advantages of Tcl over Python if any?

 

[marsd]

Flamebait, but I'll answer from my own experiences.

1.You don't have to do it van Rossums way.(indentation crazy)
2.Tcl doesn't force OO on you if you don't want it but does have some nice OO features. (namespaces,etc...I know
python doesn't force it on you either,but it sounds good)
3. Easier to learn. Much easier. The strings, lists,
dictionaries, tuples, etc..made me want to tear my hair
out. The pseudotyping , IMHO, is in your face all the
time.
4. Small thing, but to me it was a big deal: the closest
thing python has to tkcon sucks so badly that I wanted to cry.
Tkcon has got to be the handiest app ever for testing
and creating code.


Conclusion:
If I want a strongly typed, fast, language with OO I'll
learn C++.
If I want a slower, trickily typed, interpreted
language with weird conventions and OO I'll choose
python.
If I want an interpreted language that isn't picky,
offers OO if you want it, is a little on the slow side,
and that makes typing basically invisible I'd choose
Tcl.
In my work I use expect and TclX quite a bit.
With python I wouldn't know where to start looking
for similar packages.

 

[ulis]

Some links from the Tclers 'Wikit on that subject:

Tcl and other languages:

http://mini.net/tcl/1324

Python:

http://mini.net/tcl/1395

Why is TCL syntax so weird:

http://mini.net/tcl/2401

On my opinion: all is good when we find what we want
In other words: it's matter of taste.

And I find Tcl easy to use, and Ruby interesting.

ulis

 

[Grimwaldi]

What is the language really good at? What do you use it for Marsd?

 

[marsd]

You are referring to tcl?
I use it for socket programming(much easier than C and
Python IMHO),automating interactiver applications and
for replacing shell scripts with something a little
more flexible.

 

[Grimwaldi]

It might sound daft, but what is socket programming, and can you elabrorate on automating interactive apps?

 

[marsd]

Socket programming..unix sockets, network programming with udp/tcp and a partial ipv4 implementation in tcl: pktsrc.

Automating interactive applications: Automating things like telnet, passwd, fsck,etc..for systems administration with
the tcl addition Expect.

 

[Grimwaldi]

Sounds like you work in an education establishment with Unix.

 

[marsd]

Yes, that's pretty close.
What are you looking to do with python or tcl?

 

[Grimwaldi]

I'm looking into starting up on my own as a freelance, but I need to find a niche market and a to do it I need a language that is simple to code,debug,maintain, platform independant and fair performance. You know the holy grail. I looked at python, which is like Cobol in it's use of colonms, but when it gets into things like __builtin__, it starts being silly. TCL looks simple and low on typing, which I hate to be honest.

I code in Foxpro/Visual Foxpro, but MS have made it a me too tool, with no real direction.

 

[marsd]

Tcl is a good choice IMO. But using tcl
is a widely known secret these days.
Cisco and other network appliance companies use it in-depth, and there are plenty of consultants out there specializing in tcl
solutions.

Good Luck.

 

[Grimwaldi]

Which country are these consultants located in?, I'm in the U.K. If the U.K. market is saturated then I have to re-think my options.

 

[marsd]

Don't really know for certain but hang out at comp.lang.tcl and you'll probably meet more than a few.
Steve Ball, Cliff Flynt are two that spring to mind.
Avia is another.

 

[Grimwaldi]

Cheers