A friend of mine asked me a few days ago, why I like Python more than PHP given that I am more skilled in PHP than in Python.
Well, here is the answer. I like Python because:
- On my machine, Python is faster than PHP most of the time.
- I have to type less when I am building a decently large app.
- PHP is going to be the language of the future, yeah, but still Python has more features to offer.
- Python has a large collection cool libraries and addtional modules. I did visit PECL repo of PHP. I still prefer Python’s module collection.
- Python has a larger built in module collection.
- Python has a very good interactive shell and many decent IDEs. Even the Gedit I use on my Ubuntu has a python console.
- Debugging is pretty easy. Inspection of objects are easier as well.
- Programs can be converted to bytecode.
- Force indentation makes the code more readable.
- Things are always easier and less time consuming on Python. Just compare the BeautifulSoup with PHP’s SimpleXML and DOM. You’ll get the difference.
- Python is well suited for all sorts of development — desktop apps, web apps or even mobile apps.
And I have many more reasons, but what’s the point writing them in? The simplest answer is Python has won my heart and so I prefer it to PHP. Any objections ?
Well, to be honest, I was pretty amazed with Python after I went through its basics. but I decided not to go deep in it, yet.