Part VI: Server and Network Administration

Summary

Python and Perl take over where shell scripting leaves off. These languages are great for writing or controlling command-line processes and provide excellent cross-platform capabilities. With the inclusion of these languages in Mac OS X, potential scripting developers can gain a much wider audience for their software.

Mac OS X has become a wonderful platform for scripting languages, and although only two open source languages are covered here, enterprising users may want to investigate the powers of Ruby (also included on your system), or install Apple's Aqua Tcl/tk, Expect, or any other of the dozens of scripting languages available today.