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For 2023 (and 2024 ...) - we are now fully retired from IT training.
We have made many, many friends over 25 years of teaching about Python, Tcl, Perl, PHP, Lua, Java, C and C++ - and MySQL, Linux and Solaris/SunOS too. Our training notes are now very much out of date, but due to upward compatability most of our examples remain operational and even relevant ad you are welcome to make us if them "as seen" and at your own risk.

Lisa and I (Graham) now live in what was our training centre in Melksham - happy to meet with former delegates here - but do check ahead before coming round. We are far from inactive - rather, enjoying the times that we are retired but still healthy enough in mind and body to be active!

I am also active in many other area and still look after a lot of web sites - you can find an index ((here))
Choosing the right language

Why are there so many different computer languages? It's partly because there are many different types of things that need to be done in a programming environment and they require different mixes of facilities. And the addition of facility "x" which is really important for application "y" makes the provision of facility "a" that's important for application "b" impractical or rather tricky.

So, the question during the current course: "Why Python - what makes it different". Well ... here are some things that were relevant to my questioner:

* It's a SCRIPTING language that means no manual compile process, so it's great for codes that need changing frequently
* It's a STRAIGHTFORWARD language that's not overburdened with alternative facilities - removed complexity from the developer and maintainer
* It's OBJECT ORIENTED and that provides superb logic sharing capabilities between applications handing the same data types without naming conflicts
* It's a TRUSTING language that doesn't overburden you with the need to predeclare everything
* It's available CROSSPLATFORM - on the course, I have delegates on Mac, Windows and Linux platforms for example
* It's ROBUST and FORWARD COMPATIBLE and WELL SUPPORTED AND USED making it something you can rely on in the future.

"Compared to Perl" goes on my questioner. Now Perl may be the right language for many people because:

* It's a SCRIPTING language that means no manual compile process, so it's great for codes that need changing frequently
* It's a FULLFEATURED language that's got plenty of facilities and coding anything can be very fast indeed with all the range
* You can CHOOSE to write single block, structured or Object Oriented code meaning that it's suitable for small projects through to big systems.
* Perl assumes you KNOW what you're doing - leave things out and they get done for you. Makes for fast coding by the initiated.
* It's available CROSSPLATFORM.
* It's ROBUST and WELL SUPPORTED AND USED so you'll always have a good supply of programmers available
* It's being UPDATED to include modern facilities at the expense of old ones, meaning it's a language that will be around in 20 years!

Every force is balanced by an equal and opposite force, they say. And so it is that you can take many of the powerpointish bullets above and write an "opposite" statement that may turn people off the particular language. "It's full-featured" can also mean "there are so many ways of doing things that you'll end up with unreadable code written by contractors who are long since gone and is utterly unmaintainable unless you call them back in and pay them a fortune". Yes, I know that's a simplification but there's a seed of truth in there.

We offer Perl courses and Python courses and so we have a foot in both camps ... also PHP courses (PHP is a great language and often the best choice if you're writing a dynamic web site) and Tcl and Mysql ... every one of these is a great language for the right users ... otherwise I simply wouldn't include the subject in our public course listing.
(written 2006-03-01, updated 2006-06-09)

 
Associated topics are indexed as below, or enter http://melksh.am/nnnn for individual articles
Y101 - Introduction to Python
  [317] Programming languages - a comparison - (2005-05-20)
  [380] Bridging to the customer requirement - (2005-07-16)
  [382] Central London Courses - Perl, PHP, Python, Tcl, MySQL - (2005-07-18)
  [444] Database or Progamming - which to learn first? - (2005-09-13)
  [710] Linux training Glasgow, Python programming course Dundee - (2006-05-05)
  [712] Why reinvent the wheel - (2006-05-06)
  [745] Python modules. The distribution, The Cheese Shop and the Vaults of Parnassus. - (2006-06-05)
  [753] Python 3000 - the next generation - (2006-06-09)
  [834] Python makes University Challenge - (2006-08-15)
  [846] Is Perl being replaced by PHP and Python? - (2006-08-27)
  [909] Python is like a narrowboat - (2006-10-30)
  [949] Sludge off the mountain, and Python and PHP - (2006-11-27)
  [950] Python and the Magic Roundabout - (2006-11-27)
  [1375] Python v Ruby - (2007-10-02)
  [1663] Python in an afternoon - a lecture for experienced programmers - (2008-06-01)
  [4118] We not only teach PHP and Python - we teach good PHP and Python Practice! - (2013-06-18)
  [4298] Python - an interesting application - (2014-09-18)
  [4590] Progress on moving from Python 2 to Python 3 - training for both versions - (2015-12-01)

P201 - Perl - Introduction
  [25] Release numbers - (2004-08-23)
  [577] Learning to program in Perl or PHP - (2006-01-26)
  [594] Twice is a co-incidence and three times is a pattern - (2006-02-07)
  [604] Perl - multiprocess applications - (2006-02-13)
  [691] Testing you Perl / PHP / MySQL / Tcl knowledge - (2006-04-19)
  [743] How to debug a Perl program - (2006-06-04)
  [924] The LAMP Cookbook - Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP / Perl - (2006-11-13)
  [1717] Q - Should I use Perl or Python? - (2008-07-23)
  [1753] Perl v PHP, choosing the right language - (2008-08-14)
  [1852] Perl and Blackberries - (2008-10-23)
  [2070] Converting to Perl - the sort of programs you will write - (2009-03-08)
  [2812] What is Perl? - (2010-06-15)
  [2832] Are you learning Perl? Some more examples for you! - (2010-06-27)

H101 - Introduction to PHP
  [48] PHP - onwards and upwards - (2004-09-14)
  [55] Evening classes to learn PHP - (2004-09-19)
  [93] Case Sensitive? - (2004-10-19)
  [124] PHP v Java - (2004-11-20)
  [132] Portrait of the author - (2004-11-27)
  [135] Too many Perls - (2004-11-30)
  [341] Happy Birthday, PHP - (2005-06-09)
  [433] FTP - how to make the right transfers - (2005-09-01)
  [624] It's REALLY easy to add a little PHP - (2006-02-26)
  [646] PHP - London course, Melksham Course, Evening course - (2006-03-14)
  [789] Hot answers in PHP - (2006-07-02)
  [795] Remember a site's non-technical issues too - (2006-07-07)
  [917] Syntax checking in PHP - (2006-11-07)
  [1050] The HTML++ Metalanguage - (2007-01-22)
  [1198] From Web to Web 2 - (2007-05-21)
  [1958] PHP - Parse error: syntax error, unexpected $end ... - (2008-12-23)
  [2097] PHP Course - for hobby / club / charity users. - (2009-03-22)
  [3025] Learning to Program ... in PHP. Course examples. - (2010-11-01)
  [4621] The power of scripting - (2016-01-12)


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This is a page archived from The Horse's Mouth at http://www.wellho.net/horse/ - the diary and writings of Graham Ellis. Every attempt was made to provide current information at the time the page was written, but things do move forward in our business - new software releases, price changes, new techniques. Please check back via our main site for current courses, prices, versions, etc - any mention of a price in "The Horse's Mouth" cannot be taken as an offer to supply at that price.

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