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Comment by oguz-ismail | Hacker News Reader

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oguz-ismail

> poorly designed tools like bash and perl

Skill issue, plus what's the alternative? Python was close until the 3.x fiasco

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Indeed, double skill issue: one with the designers and the other one with the users having poor tool evaluation skills

> poor tool evaluation skills

Both tools in question are installed everywhere and get the job done. There isn't much to evaluate, and nothing to compare against

> There isn't much to evaluate, and nothing to compare against

These are exactly the skill issues I meant! Git gud in evaluating and you'll be able to come up with many more sophisticated evaluation criteria than the primitive "it's installed everywhere"

While there are other parameters I would consider like maintainability, ergonomics, mind share, ease of deployment, etc. The ubiquitous availability point triumphs most others though. Installation of new toolchain is usually a hassle when the same task can be done with existing tools. Also when I present it in a company setting installing new software and broadening the security attack surface is the first pushback I get.

Do you advocate the use of Notepad on Windows to edit text because it already exists? What about the increase in the security attack surface from using languages that make it easy to make mistakes in something basic like quoting/escaping? Does it get in the top 10 of pushbacks?

I'd advocate for 'nano' on Linux because it's widely installed and easy for newcomers. A seasoned professional will know they can substitute vim or what have you, I don't need to explain that to them. So yes... If I was trying to explain to a noob how to open a text file on windows and I don't know what they have installed, I'd absolutely tell them to use notepad.

Would I advocate writing my core business software in bash or perl? No, I'd hire and train for what was chosen. For small scripts I might need to share with coworkers? 100%

My comment didn't convey it, but I'm with you on using the right tool for the right job. Just that I always don't have the luxury to do so. And yes like the other comment I'd use it for throw away scripts and glue code, instead of installing a new toolchain. Longevity and importance should warrant doing it. Cheers!

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