Abigail wrote:
[snip]
>
> When comparing Java with Perl, one should realize that *anyone* can add
> things to Perl - all you need is working code and rough concensus among
> peers. Quite different from Java, C++ or C. This has both advantages and
> benefits.
>
[snip]
Sorry to bang on about this *again* but this is an major part of the case for
Perl as the basis of IT development in Less Economically Developed countries
- I brought this up over the issue of certification, but it is broader than
that. [I am aware that Abigail mentions the role of the WWW in the LEDC
context at http://www.foad.org/~abigail/WWW/dream.html ]
One of the key concepts in Development Work generally is that of 'Capacity
Building'. There is a useful review of what this means at:
http://www.oneworld.org/ecdpm/pubs/wp14_gb.htm
Cohen ('Building sustainable public sector managerial, professional and
technical capacity: A framework for analysis and intervention.' 1993)
defines capacity building as "strengthening targeted human resources
(managerial, professional and technical) in particular institutions
and to provide those institutions with the means whereby these resources can
be marshalled and sustained effectively to perform planning, policy
formulation, and implementation tasks on any priority topic."
In other words - it's about strengthening existing capabilities (not pushing
people off to 'learn' how to do things according to some external model);
involving policy-makers, practitioners and users in the direction in which
the 'project' goes; and making sure it is 'sustainable' - it will last. No
dependence on external certification; specific platforms or hardware/software
prerequisites. And (ideally) all taking place in an environment where
expertise is not only recognised but shared too.
This sounds like the way in which Free Software in general - and Perl in
particular - can work. (note 'can' rather than 'does' - I'm a realist!)
I'm aware that much of the debate on this list recently has related to
advocating and celebrating Perl use in business environments - though Lisa
Nyman's use of Perl in the U.S. Census *has* raised a lot of interest.
I'd find it very depressing if I felt that (as someone said in an earlier
message, advocacy equated to money) and that the targets seen as being worthy
of Perl advertising and advocacy were solely in the business world.
Is this an area for Perl advocacy? Or is my choice of software development
environment for non-profit projects at best incidental and at worst
irrelevant?
Yours-feeling-as-though-I'm-banging-my-head-against-a-wall-but-not-ready-to-use-VB-yet,
Patrick Carmichael
Lecturer in IT and Education
University of Reading
