On 2008-12-10 22:02, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > I used to program in C and Perl (up until 2001) (a little C++ and Java > too). Since then I've been a Business Analyst and only coded in VBA/ > Excel and written some SQL queries. (we use Sybase) > > I feel the need for other tools. > Primarily I want to write a bunch of small programs to query a > database and perform some calculations. While I can do this inside a > Sybase stored procedure, its a bit messy trying to "reimplement" a set > of calculations from Excel into Sybase. > > I would like to either: > - relearn Perl > or > - learn Python (I have heard its a nice language) > > 1. How good and easy to use is the Python database interface (to > Sybase)?
If you're looking for a reliable database interface to Sybase, I'd suggest mxODBC: http://www.egenix.com/products/python/mxODBC/ It's been used in production by many banks for years and so far without problems. > 2. Can you suggest some good books, and/or links for learning Python, > as well as teh database interface? One of the best books is "Learning Python": http://oreilly.com/catalog/9781565924642/ > 3. How difficult is it to install Python vs Perl on PC/Windows > machines? There's an MSI installer, so it's basically just a few clicks away: http://www.python.org/download/ Hope that helps, -- Marc-Andre Lemburg eGenix.com Professional Python Services directly from the Source (#1, Dec 10 2008) >>> Python/Zope Consulting and Support ... http://www.egenix.com/ >>> mxODBC.Zope.Database.Adapter ... http://zope.egenix.com/ >>> mxODBC, mxDateTime, mxTextTools ... http://python.egenix.com/ ________________________________________________________________________ 2008-12-02: Released mxODBC.Connect 1.0.0 http://python.egenix.com/ ::: Try our new mxODBC.Connect Python Database Interface for free ! :::: eGenix.com Software, Skills and Services GmbH Pastor-Loeh-Str.48 D-40764 Langenfeld, Germany. CEO Dipl.-Math. Marc-Andre Lemburg Registered at Amtsgericht Duesseldorf: HRB 46611 http://www.egenix.com/company/contact/ -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
