Martin C. Brown - Perl to Python migration

Like most modern scripting languages and indeed any modern, open-source development project Python is heavily supported in the programming community through the Internet. The main web site is www.python.org, which provides the most comprehensive guide to the Python language and its available resources, both on and off the web.

Much of Python's success comes from the users who provide feedback to the Python development team, suggest new features and changes to the language semantics, and help identify and fix bugs. This information ultimately reaches Guido van Rossum, the designer and developer of the Python language, although there are now many other people who aid the development of the language. Most of this information is exchanged on the Internet, either through e-mail, newsgroups, or the various Python websites. Of course, we can't describe everything available, due to the sheer fluidity of the Internet. But there are some choice areas of the main Python site, as well as other sites that deserve a special mention. The entries listed here should give you a good spread of the most useful resources.

The main focus point for everything to do with Python. This site is managed by volunteers from Python Software Activity. They include a number of Python fanatics, all dedicated to the long-term success of Python as a scripting language. The site also contains all the online documentation, which is available both for searching online and for downloading from the site. Included here are HTML, PostScript, and Acrobat PDF versions of the documentation for you to use at home.

PythonLabs, the development team responsible for Python development, moved to SourceForge, one of the many free software communities in October 2000. Although most of the development and news about Python continues on the main Python website, new versions and daily snapshots of the current development versions of Python and its documentation appear here on SourceForge.

The site is the homepage of Python Software Activity. PSA raises funds, supports new development, hosts conferences, and operates the various Internet-based services that support Python development. PSA requests membership fees from people who wish to help in the further development of Python. At the time of writing, this membership cost $50 for an individual, or $500 for an organization.

A significant portion of the Python development and promotion comes from various special interest groups (SIGs). These have limited lives while different development projects are in progress. The list at the beginning of February 2001 looked like , but use the URL above for a more up-to-date list. Note that the expiry dates were correct at the time of going to press, most of the discussion have become continuing works in progress.

Each list is supported via a mailing list. Anybody can join a SIG and get involved in the discussion and even in the development of a particular part of the Python development process.

This URL points to a Python CGI script that provides a list of all the currently requested and outstanding "To Do" items for Python development.

The homepage of the Jython project, includes the downloadable components, documentation, samples, and pointers to further information on Jython and where it's used.

The home of the Mailman mailing list software. Mailman is written entirely in Python and provides all of the normal features of a mailing list manager, from e-mail-based subscriptions, digests, and secure authentication of subscribers. In addition, it sports a web front end, both for subscribers to existing lists, and also for the managers of the lists themselves.

Zope is a web publishing and content management system that allows multiple people to manage the content of a website. In addition to the basic content facilities, Zope also provides conduits (called factories) for importing information from external sources including the traditional database and less-conventional POP, IMAP, and NNTP sources.

The Python Starship site was set up as an extension to the main www.python.org site to provide a medium for community cooperation on Python projects. Starship Python is supported by Digital Creations, the people behind the development of Zope, and also now the people supporting the developers of Perl itself.

The Python Journal was an online magazine for Python programmers. The first issue was a huge success, and the second issue appeared in June 1999. However, no further issues have been forthcoming and more attention has been paid to some of the daily resources, such as the O'Reilly Python update and sites like LinuxProgramming.com.

The home of the O'Reilly Python effort, including information on their books, and also regularly updated news and related articles on the Python development and programming.

Python has spawned a number of commercial companies aiming to provide a more stable, and obviously attractive, Python solution. One of these companies is Secret Labs AB, and PythonWare is their website. They are currently developing a RAD (Rapid Application Development) environment called PythonWorks for Python based on the core Python language with some specific extensions developed in house for interfaces, graphics, and image processing.

ActiveState are perhaps better known for their work in producing the original Windows port of Perl. However, in recent years they have concentrated on extending their product range by not only supporting an extended Perl installation (with additional documentation and features) for Windows, but also a similar product for Linux and Solaris.