Python is an interpreted, interactive, object-oriented, extensible programming language. It provides an extraordinary combination of clarity and versatility, and is free and comprehensively ported.
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Application type
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Symbian S60
- BSD
- AROS
- Haiku
- AmigaOS
- OpenSolaris
- MorphOS



Python is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Perl.
Python is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Perl.
- Python is Free and Open Source























I admittedly prefer Perl over bash, but bash is also great for whipping up quick scripts to do small things (one of the things I tend to use Perl for) while having the upside of being installed by default on any Unices that rely strongly on GNU software. That being said, Perl is very common too so it's not likely you'll ever be left with just bash and not Perl, but it's still a point worth noting.