We all know that Python, Perl and Ruby (ok, and PHP, and probably other languages) are always stealing ideas from one another. This is a nice thing to do.

After programming a few with Python there is a couple of details I like. I know not all are possible to implement in Perl. Some of them are, and I would love if they were. I know not all people agree with me (that good, too). Nevertheless, I present here a couple of ideas.

Although I do not like relying only in indentation for blocks, I like the fact that conditionals and loops does not need parenthesis. It makes the code much more legible. I imagine that to make this in Perl it would be crazy. Good enough we don't need them when using it as a modifier.

Another clean idea from Python is the in operator. For me it makes more sense to ask if $var in @array or if $var in %hash than using the ~~ operator (that some claim to have a couple of flaws) or using if grep { $_ eq $var } @array or if exists($hash{$var}). Notice the number of characters needed in each approach, and the number of characters that need modifier keys.

Having in as a reserved word, we might even be able to write things like for $x in @array or for $x in keys(%hash). I agree I am walking in Python direction. But that's not necessarily bad.

Finally, Python has a couple of built-in methods that might make some sense, like max and min (that are parametrized letting you specify how to compute values from the elements in the list). Even sum might make some sense (but would not be a priority). I know these are available on modules, and that blessed() is more urgent.

OK, now, please, do not slap me too hard :)