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Comparing PowerShell and Python
Language Duel
Admins rely on scripts to automate regular processes. In Windows, some configurations are only possible in PowerShell. However, PowerShell is not the only scripting language – Python is also a popular option. In this article, we compare the two languages and examine possible usage scenarios on Windows, Linux, and Mac OS.
We'll start with Python. Linux admins and users have probably used Python, even if only to run a .py script on their computers. Python, which was developed in the spirit of free software, is available free of charge as source code and in binary form, together with the standard library [1].
Python is an extensive interpretive programming language that goes far beyond a normal scripting language, supporting all of the features and capabilities you expect from modern programming and scripting languages. These features include, among other things, object orientation (including the use of classes and abstract data types), the option of splitting programs arbitrarily into modules (as well as the multitude of existing standard modules), the use of exception conditions (exceptions), and the option of expanding the language (e.g., with code written in C). Unlike many interpreted languages, variable and argument declarations are not necessary, which significantly simplifies rapid programming, but it can also lead to problems (e.g., from inadvertent typos in variable identifiers).
Many users point out that Python code is generally quite readable, which significantly increases its recyclability. Unlike other programming languages, which sometimes make excessive use of brackets and semicolons – and where the resulting errors in translation or interpretation have driven some developers to despair – Python indents lines to add structure. After a familiarization period, even C programmers can see the advantages of this type of representation. Finally, Python is also
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