Re: Perl vs Java in Heavyweight Filesystem Processing

[linux454]

I've been programming in perl for quite some time, and I've picked Java up in the past several years. And I've found that I love both languages equally, but for different things. Perl can do any job that Java can do, somethings it does better and somethings it doesn't and vice versa. The way I see your situation is that perl may be the more efficient tool, but that does not necessarily mean that it is the best tool for the job. Meaning that if you are the only developer who knows perl, in an all java environment, then what happens to that little sliver of perl in the sea of java if you kick the bucket, are fired, or when you move on to bigger and better things? Well it will either have to be replaced or someone will have to learn perl. Both are in my opinion unacceptable from a business perspective. On the other side of things, it's sounds like you aren't going to have to process file contents just file meta-data (filename, size, etc.). If that is indeed the case then there should really be no argument java is not going to be that much slower (if any) when performing those types of operations. If however, you will have to operate on a large amount of file contents (i.e. parse text from inside the file etc.) then I would hate to use java, perl is the king of file slurping. But if speed is not of paramount concern, I say just suck it up, take one for the team, and right the thing in Java. Because java really is a great language if you give it a chance. ((This whole post is written by a converted perl bigot))

[Jenda]

If Perl allows the employees to finish their tasks sooner and better, then it's good in the business perspective if a few more are forced to learn it.

Edit by castaway: Closed small tag in signature