As a heavy user of PowerShell prior to using Python, I always found the Python language specifications, especially around the rules for inde...
As a heavy user of PowerShell prior to using Python, I always found the Python language specifications, especially around the rules for indentation somewhat annoying. For anyone coming from a similar background as me and venturing into the world of Python, it will be useful to understand that the difference in the handling of indents between PowerShell and Python stems from the design and philosophy of each language.
PowerShell:
PowerShell was primarily designed as a command-line shell and scripting language for system administration in Windows. It takes a more flexible approach to indentation and does not enforce strict indentation rules. In PowerShell, indentation is not significant in terms of code structure or scoping. The focus in PowerShell is more on command pipelines and using cmdlets (command-lets) rather than structured blocks of code.
Python:
Python, on the other hand, emphasizes code readability and enforceable code structure. Python's design philosophy emphasizes the use of whitespace indentation to define code blocks. Indentation is not just a matter of style; it is a fundamental part of Python's syntax. Proper indentation in Python is necessary to distinguish between different levels of code blocks, such as loops, conditionals, and functions. This approach enforces consistent and readable code.
The difference in indentation handling reflects the language designers' intentions and goals for each language. PowerShell focuses on providing a flexible and interactive shell experience, while Python emphasizes code readability, maintainability, and enforcing a consistent coding style.
It's worth noting that different languages have different design goals and principles, and they make different trade-offs in various aspects, including indentation handling.
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