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Java or Perl part deux

zatoichi on 2004-10-21T23:03:13

There is an unofficial contents between me (Perl) and another programmer (Java) at work. We are both "racing" to complete a reporting system. Which basically takes data out of Oracle and formats it real pretty like for the users to look at.

I haven't decided whether to go with Template-Toolkit or CGI-Application but I have prototyped two separate apps with each (one with TT and one with CA) and the Java programmer is struggling to get one up.

I looked at the Java code (and it didn't blind me) and I couldn't believe how much code is needed just to talk to Oracle and get stuff out.

Sounds great

samtregar on 2004-10-22T00:13:42

Maybe you can write an article about it when you win? This is just the kind of apples-to-apples comparison that's so hard to come by and yet can be so persuasive.

-sam

Re:Sounds great

zatoichi on 2004-10-22T01:27:43

I think it is so hard because the skill levels of each person skews the end result. I have been steadily learning Perl but the Java person is just picking it up again after about a year.

Why Choose just one?

clscott on 2004-10-22T00:59:07

Get CGI::Application::Pligin::TT and use both!

http://cpan.uwinnipeg.ca/module/CGI::Application::Plugin::TT

Re:Why Choose just one?

zatoichi on 2004-10-22T01:31:43

I am the level in my Perl learning where I really need to focus on one or the other. Once I get that down then I will look at combining them. One of my goals was to use "as little as possible" in my development of the web app.

I am leaning towards CGI-Application and HTML-Template as HT is a "simple" yet "powerful" paradigm. That and I really dig CA's run modes.

Re:Why Choose just one?

clscott on 2004-10-22T02:45:54

Well the plugin allows you to use C::A's runmodes but use TT as the template language ( no need for [% USE CGI %] in your templates or any other of the more involved constructs that can make TT more like programming than templating).

Re:Why Choose just one?

clscott on 2004-10-22T02:55:53

I meant to say this:

The plugin that I mentioned allows you to replace HTML::Template with TT as the templating language.

TT as a templating language is very easy, most of the time you don't need anything more complex than [% PROCESS %] [% FOREACH %] or [% variable.property %]

I prefer using TT, but good luck with your project with whichever approach you choose.