[Techtalk] Perl/Python textbooks.

[Dan]

> Python looks a lot more elegant so far - I don't know how else to describe
> it - while Perl seems to be the Selleys Space Invader of coding.

I recommend starting with Python, because it enforces good coding 
practice. Perl allows you more freedom and is closer to a natural 
language, but more choice isn't necessarily a good thing for a beginner 
who doesn't know how to choose well.

> I also just subscribed to the programming at linuxchix list, and
> coincidentally there's a Perl course starting on course at .

I teach that course, but I recommend that you stick to Python for the 
moment. I intend to repeat the Perl course once a year or so, so it will 
be around again.

However, it is up to you to choose for yourself. You are welcome in the 
Perl course if that's what you've chosen.   :-)

-- 
  [Larry] Wall [inventor of Perl] believes that people think about
  things in different ways, that natural languages accommodate many
  mindsets, and that programming languages should too.
    - Jon Udell, in his essay, "A Perl Hacker in the Land of Python"