Bash vs. Python

Well, after reading Linus’s comments on interpreted languages and discussing the matter with Ken some, I have come to the somewhat solid conclusion that I should discontinue my pursuit of additional Python knowledge.

Linus’s point was that if a given progam was fairly small, he’d write it using Bash, and that if the program required any true size or power he’d move to C. He thus didn’t see any need for the interpreted languages such as Perl and Python.

My idea has always been that I could use Python to accomplish all my small scripts as well as the larger, full-fledged apps. But it seems now like this is a path guided by my desire to learn Python, not a path based on logic. In reality, I can do 99% of my everyday stuff using Bash, and if I can, I probably should. Taking the extra steps to use Python and ensure that Python is on the box in question is arguably not the best route.

There are a few things I want to do as far as programming goes that I want to do in Python, but those are pretty far down on my project list right now, and even then it’s only like one or two apps. The vast majority of everything else I can do with Bash.

So, what are your thoughts? Should people doing predominatly small scripting tasks even venture down the road of interpreted languages, or is it a waste of time given the fact that Bash is available? Drop me a line and let me know your thoughts.