[SOLVED] Is Perl still relevant for IT professionals?

ondoho · 03-25-2019, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatmac

I think you will find lots of perl on the internet & other customised servers.

you don't have to go out of your way to find perl.
in one of my previous posts in this thread i pointed out how many packages on my system (and presumably most linux desktops) are written in perl (or in any case depend on it):
27 (not counting perl-* packages), amongst which such "outdated fringe software" (<- being ironic here) like git, inxi, openssl and rsync.

But apparently OP thought I just wanted to float the fact that I'm using archlinux, or in any case they answered:

Quote:

Originally Posted by young_jedi

@ondoho I use Alpine Linux, but know what you're saying but im not going to maintain those Perl programs..

wth?

hydrurga · 03-25-2019, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ondoho

you don't have to go out of your way to find perl.
in one of my previous posts in this thread i pointed out how many packages on my system (and presumably most linux desktops) are written in perl (or in any case depend on it):
27 (not counting perl-* packages), amongst which such "outdated fringe software" (<- being ironic here) like git, inxi, openssl and rsync.

Inxi was in fact recently re-written from the ground up in Perl, the developer being very enthusiastic about the speed and coding advantages of writing the tool in Perl.

jsbjsb001 · 03-26-2019, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NevemTeve

In a forum, 'Halting program' means that the participants keep repeating their parts without convincing each other (cf: infinite loop).

Since people want to keep debating it, we may as well have an infinite loop (source code below output). Enjoy.

Code:

No, it isn't, and here's why:
1. There are pros and cons with any language!
2. It's not just about one particular language!
3. You should have a wide range of skills!
4. You may get a job where your boss wants a certain language to be used, so that is what is used!
5. archlinux also uses Perl programs, as well as Alpine Linux!!
6. Nobody was attacking you!!!

Perl is irrelevant, and nobody uses it anymore!!!

No, it isn't, and here's why:
1. There are pros and cons with any language!
2. It's not just about one particular language!
3. You should have a wide range of skills!
4. You may get a job where your boss wants a certain language to be used, so that is what is used!
5. archlinux also uses Perl programs, as well as Alpine Linux!!
6. Nobody was attacking you!!!

Perl is irrelevant, and nobody uses it anymore!!!

No, it isn't, and here's why:
1. There are pros and cons with any language!
2. It's not just about one particular language!^C
3. You should have a wide range of skills!
4. You may get a job where your boss wants a certain language to be used, so that is what is used!
5. archlinux also uses Perl programs, as well as Alpine Linux!!
6. Nobody was attacking you!!!

Code:

#include <stdio.h>

int main(void) {

    while(1) {
          puts("Perl is irrelevant, and nobody uses it anymore!!!\n\n\
No, it isn't, and here's why:\n\
1. There are pros and cons with any language!\n\
2. It's not just about one particular language!\n\
3. You should have a wide range of skills!\n\
4. You may get a job where your boss wants a certain language to be used, so that is what is used!\n\
5. archlinux also uses Perl programs, as well as Alpine Linux!!\n\
6. Nobody was attacking you!!!\n");

    }

    return 0; // this will never happen...

}

Oh, I forgot, it's in C, and not Perl (sorry, I don't know Perl), my bad

...

Turbocapitalist · 03-26-2019, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ondoho

you don't have to go out of your way to find perl.
in one of my previous posts in this thread i pointed out how many packages on my system (and presumably most linux desktops) are written in perl (or in any case depend on it):
27 (not counting perl-* packages), amongst which such "outdated fringe software" (<- being ironic here) like git, inxi, openssl and rsync.

Try it with a fuller $PATH setting. Perl is used a lot in the system administration utilities.

Since the thread has devolved to just goofing around, the following depends on what $PATH is. If it includes /sbin and relatives then you get the full list:

Code:

$ echo $PATH
/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin

$ for p in $(echo $PATH|tr ':' ' ');do find $p -type f -exec sh -c "head -n 1 {} | grep -q perl && echo {}" \; ; done | wc -l
120

$ lsb_release -rd
Description:    Raspbian GNU/Linux 9.8 (stretch)
Release:        9.8

and

Code:

$ echo $PATH
/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin

$ for p in $(echo $PATH|tr ':' ' ');do find $p -type f -exec sh -c "head -n 1 {} | grep -q perl && echo {}" \; ; done | wc -l
121

$ lsb_release -rd
Description:	Devuan GNU/Linux 2.0 (ascii)
Release:	2.0

and

Code:

$ echo $PATH
/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin

$ for p in $(echo $PATH|tr ':' ' ');do find $p -type f -exec sh -c "head -n 1 {} | grep -q perl && echo {}" \; ; done | wc -l
38

$ uname -sr
OpenBSD 6.5

So it's at least as important as shell script and AWK for system administration.

Edit1: the OpenBSD count goes up to 35 with all the sets, not just base and man.

Edit2: for a very bare-bones, very busy Alpine system in production

Code:

$ echo $PATH
/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin

$ for p in $(echo $PATH|tr ':' ' ');do find $p -type f -exec sh -c "head -n 1 {} | grep -q perl && echo {}" \; ; done 2>/dev/null | wc -l
9

$ cat /etc/alpine-release
3.8.1

astrogeek · 03-26-2019, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turbocapitalist

Since the thread has devolved to just goofing around...

To all (not directed at Turbocapitalist specifically), let's not go any further in that direction, but keep future posts strictly on topic, which has been well covered IMO.

The OP has left and other visitors will find some very useful comments here already, so let's let it settle down here for now and take the general discussion to the General forum.

Thanks! And thanks to all who have provided answers to the original question!

ondoho · 03-27-2019, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turbocapitalist

Try it with a fuller $PATH setting. Perl is used a lot in the system administration utilities.

[ censored ], the following depends on what $PATH is. If it includes /sbin and relatives then you get the full list:

mine's longer!

Code:

$ echo $PATH
/usr/lib/colorgcc/bin:/home/ondoho/.local/bin:/home/ondoho/bin:/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin:/opt/android-sdk/emulator:/usr/lib/jvm/default/bin:/usr/bin/site_perl:/usr/bin/vendor_perl:/usr/bin/core_perl

$ for p in $(echo $PATH|tr ':' ' ');do find $p -type f -exec sh -c "head -n 1 {} | grep -q perl && echo {}" \; ; done | wc -l
209

$ lsb_release -rd
Description:	Arch Linux
Release:	rolling

this is useful information for anybody who ask themselves if perl is still relevant.

pan64 · 03-27-2019, 02:56 PM

offtopic, but:

Code:

find ${PATH//:/ } -type f -exec file {} \; | grep -c 'Perl script text'

And it will go into subdirs (if there were any)

young_jedi · 03-27-2019, 09:26 PM

Code:

$ echo $PATH
/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin

$ for p in $(echo $PATH|tr ':' ' ');do find $p -type f -exec sh -c "head -n 1 {} | grep -q perl && echo {}" \; ; done | wc -l
0

$ uname -sr
Alpine Linux 3.9.2

Turns out Perl is not so fundamental for use in system administration utilities, atleast on Alpine Linux.. And for those who say WTH is Alpine Linux and who cares? Its the base system Docker uses (Docker is a technology that supercedes virtual machines in many ways)...

Read and weep (Fall of Perl): https://www.fastcompany.com/3026446/...ising-language

NevemTeve · 03-27-2019, 09:36 PM

Have you just reinvented the 'which' command? Well done.

young_jedi · 03-27-2019, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pan64

offtopic, but:

Code:

find ${PATH//:/ } -type f -exec file {} \; | grep -c 'Perl script text'

And it will go into subdirs (if there were any)

The find command is by default recursive

young_jedi · 03-27-2019, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NevemTeve

Have you just reinvented the 'which' command? Well done.

Not sure what you're asking but Alpine uses busybox which is an endpoint for numerous symlinks for various utilities

NevemTeve · 03-27-2019, 10:08 PM

'which' is a program, that searches programs on PATH. Also there is 'type -f':

Code:

$ which bash
/usr/local/bin/bash

$ type -f bash
bash is /usr/local/bin/bash

$ type -f which
which is hashed (/usr/bin/which)

$ type -f type 
type is a shell builtin

young_jedi · 03-27-2019, 10:10 PM

^ I know, there's also the whereis command.. But I not sure what the context of your question was..

Edit: If you werent asking me then oops sorry..

NevemTeve · 03-27-2019, 10:44 PM

I see now, in post#68 you weren't searching for perl binary, but for perl-scripts.
You are right then, in Docker-images or single-floppy install/rescue images you won't find any. (Also you might not find 'bash' either, usually 'ash' or 'dash' is used in these.)

TB0ne · 03-28-2019, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by young_jedi

Code:

$ echo $PATH
/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin

$ for p in $(echo $PATH|tr ':' ' ');do find $p -type f -exec sh -c "head -n 1 {} | grep -q perl && echo {}" \; ; done | wc -l
0

$ uname -sr
Alpine Linux 3.9.2

Turns out Perl is not so fundamental for use in system administration utilities, atleast on Alpine Linux.. And for those who say WTH is Alpine Linux and who cares? Its the base system Docker uses (Docker is a technology that supercedes virtual machines in many ways)...

Yes, we all know what Docker is and most of us are probably far more familiar with it than you are.

Quote:

Read and weep (Fall of Perl): https://www.fastcompany.com/3026446/...ising-language

Wow...another opinion piece. Should we post a few that say something opposite?? You don't seem to get that:

Opinions aren't very relevant in this context
No one CARES if you use perl or not. Really.
You don't care about discussion or learning, you just want to shovel out your half-baked opinion, and expect everyone to agree. And you're upset because we don't.
And didn't you say you were leaving? https://www.linuxquestions.org/quest...ml#post5977017