Thoughts on Python for Scripting
In an era of endless programming language options, Python continues to be my first reach for automation tasks, quick prototypes, and system scripting. Here's why this 35-year-old language still dominates my toolbox, and when I might consider alternatives.

Why Python? The Eternal Scripting Language
Three key factors keep Python relevant for daily scripting needs:
- Immediate Readability: The clean syntax means I can revisit old scripts and immediately understand them
- Batteries-Included Philosophy: Need CSV parsing? JSON handling? HTTP requests? It's all in the standard library
- Cross-Platform Consistency: Works equally well on Windows, Linux, and macOS without major rewrites
Scripting Showcase: Common Tasks
Here's a typical file processing script I might write:
# Process log files older than 7 days
import os
from pathlib import Path
from datetime import datetime, timedelta
cutoff = datetime.now() - timedelta(days=7)
log_dir = Path("/var/log/myapp")
for file in log_dir.glob("*.log"):
if file.stat().st_mtime < cutoff.timestamp():
print(f"Archiving {file.name}")
os.rename(file, f"/archive/{file.name}")
Alternatives Worth Considering
Language | Best For | Pain Points |
---|---|---|
Bash/PowerShell | Simple file operations, CLI plumbing | Complex logic becomes unreadable |
JavaScript (Node.js) | Web-centric automation | Callback hell, package management |
Go | Performance-critical tools | Overkill for simple tasks |
When Python Isn't the Answer
- Startup Time Matters: For CLI tools called thousands of times daily, consider compiled alternatives
- Memory Constraints: Not ideal for embedded systems with tight RAM limits
- GUI-Intensive Tools: While possible, native desktop apps might be better served by other languages
Essential Python Scripting Packages
# My go-to toolkit:
import sys # System parameters
import argparse # CLI arguments
import pathlib # Modern path handling
import requests # HTTP for humans
import rich # Beautiful console output
import pandas # Data wrangling
import typer # CLI framework
Conclusion: The Right Tool for the Job
While I reach for Python 80% of the time, it's important to recognize when other tools might be better suited. For quick one-off scripts, system automation, and data manipulation, Python remains unmatched in its balance of simplicity and capability. What's your scripting language of choice?