Hi,

Since I am new to houdini and sidefx added python support to it, is there any value to learning hscript?

I just don't know if python access is as complete as hscript? Can it completely replace hscript in this regard?

Basically is it like how it's in Maya, in terms of MEL vs python, where Maya python is more powerful than plain MEL?




Thanks.

hi ,

the first 3 lines [sidefx.com] from Houdini's online Docs about scripting say :

HScript is the Houdini’s old scripting language. HScript is still available in Houdini for compatibility with older files and scripts. For new scripts, we recommend you use the scripting API instead.

me too have come here after those lines have been written , so

most of my time over Hscript usually is spent to read and understand ‘old’ examples .

naively speaking ; i do not know what i lose if i do not learn Hscript .

while benefits of learning Python are multiple since other applications i use .. use it too and there are a lot of Libraries out there .



~ 0.02$

zarti
…
naively speaking ; i do not know what i lose if i do not learn Hscript .
…

well you will lose some speed since hscript expression are still a lot faster than python expressions
and usually the syntax is much shorter

with python you will gain much more power but I am still using hscript for everything I can because of those 2 reasons

HScript expression rule. Short and fast.
Just open up your textport and type in exhelp, that should get you started !

tamte

zarti
…
naively speaking ; i do not know what i lose if i do not learn Hscript .
…

well you will lose some speed since hscript expression are still a lot faster than python expressions
and usually the syntax is much shorter

with python you will gain much more power but I am still using hscript for everything I can because of those 2 reasons

yes i have read those two arguments often in forums .

also i think i understand your position :

-you( and other long-time users )already know Hscript-ing

-you already have a lot Hscripts running inside of a Lot of assets


.. but finally everything depends on each own needs and time to learn new languages .

zarti
.. but finally everything depends on each own needs and time to learn new languages .

It's not a language per se. It's an environment. Much bigger task is to switch, say, from HDK to Maya SDK, even though it's still C++!

Expressions' syntax is trivial, there a few catches, and a lot of functions which you would had to get familiar in any language, including Python.

Hscript expressions are indispensable and it's not like learning whole new language (try Erlang to feel the difference ).