How? How do we do this? How?

[Cupcake]

SD did a course on Python? I thought that must be Monty Python. I guess I'm a ka-niggit!

[Paul]

SD did a course on Python? I thought that must be Monty Python. I guess I'm a ka-niggit!

 

Python is on my list, after PHP (don't like PHP, much prefer Perl, but so much web software is written in PHP that I am beginning to feel I need to know how to program in that language).

[Simon Dog]

Python is on my list, after PHP (don't like PHP, much prefer Perl, but so much web software is written in PHP that I am beginning to feel I need to know how to program in that language).

The Udemy course I am taking (Python Bible at udemy.com) is taught by an Englishman, and cost all of $10.99.    Once you get past the first few lessons (which go very very slowly), the pace picks up and the course is pretty good.

PHP is more suited to web work than Perl - particularly the ability display errors and interleave plain HTML.    It won't take much time to learn one if you know the other.   This forum is written in PHP plus MySQL.  If you are going to learn PHP for webwork, its worth learning MySQL as well.

[Paul]

If you are going to learn PHP for webwork, its worth learning MySQL as well.

I'm struggling with MySQL at the moment (to use with Perl, as I already know that) I can speak a couple of computer languages, and I was even able to program directly in machine code, way back on older machines (ones that only spoke BASIC and machine code), but I am finding MySQL really hard to cope with. And because it is not really a language, it is so hard to debug if you make a mistake. Seriously want to go back to flat pack databases!

[Paul]

PHP is more suited to web work than Perl - particularly the ability display errors and interleave plain HTML.

Yeah but PHP is so much slower and resource hungry. Not a problem on small scripts but on big scripts (such as forums) it is a nightmare (take, for example, the script used on this forum - look at the online manual and see the list of things they advise you to "switch off" if you aren't using a server as big as the Earth Simulator). Perl is quicker, shorter, and uses less processor time for similar tasks (if programmed correctly).

Plus, Perl is more maths orientated, and the majority of tasks I have needed have required mostly maths (or it might conceivably be that because my brain is more maths orientated, it tends to come to mathematical solutions rather than other means).

[Simon Dog]

Python seems to be replacing Perl as the go-to scripting language, particularly for anything involving math.  The Python math library is extensive, and its data structures are very convenient.   It is hard to get used to indentation, rather than {} or if/endif to bracket loops and conditionals.

I've found PHP + MySQL to be very effective, and fast, in dealing with databii with millions of records and thousands of users a day.

Spend $12 for the class (price went up) and you can learn Python in a few dialysis sessions.

I am finding MySQL really hard to cope with. And because it is not really a language, it is so hard to debug if you make a mistake.

Not really.   Test your queries stand-alone before putting them in your code.    One of my apps has a bunch of 6 way JOINs and the MySQL queries do a lot of the work that would have to be done in code.  And then, there are the MySQL stored procedures if you really want a language.

[Paul]

I am finding MySQL really hard to cope with. And because it is not really a language, it is so hard to debug if you make a mistake.

Not really.

Yes, really. You are talking to someone who once wrote ten lines of database instructions, then spent three days trying to find the mistake that stopped them from executing!

[aniawoman]

I totally understand what you are going through. While some people may find that positive thinking helps, I find that sometimes a person just has to have his or her pain and depression acknowledged.  I think that is is OK to feel discouraged some of the time.  A long time ago, a friend of mine told me that when she was depressed, she had a good cry and a cup of tea.  The important thing, she said, was to allow yourself to have the good cry. The tea alone didn't do anything. The moral of this story is that accepting that it is OK to mourn the loss of your dreams may help you reach a state of peace and a belief that there can be some good times, too.  And remember that others on this site are here for you and can give you support and encouragement when you need it.