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I find the entire premise of the post to be pretty baffling. > Seth pointed out this is useful if you are on Windows and don't have the gzip utility installed.
by cxr 3y ago
I find the entire premise of the post to be pretty baffling.
> Seth pointed out this is useful if you are on Windows and don't have the gzip utility installed.
Okay, so instead of installing gzip (or just using the decompressors that aren't the official gzip utility but that do support the format and already ship with Windows by default[1]), you install Python...?
Even if the premise weren't muddy from the start, there is a language runtime and ubiquitous cross-platform API already available on all major desktops that has a really good, industrial strength sandbox/containerization strategy that more than adequately mitigates the security issues raised here so you can e.g. rot13 without fear all day to your delight: the browser.
1. <https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36099528 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36099528>
- jerpint 3y agoMost people who read this blog already have python installed
- cxr 3y agoThe bafflement increases. The topic of this thread is the safety and security of running Python on (or merely next to) arbitrary content. Even ignoring that: is "most people" greater than, less than, or the same amount as "all"?
- totallywrong 3y ago> The bafflement increases. So does the pendantry.
- cxr 3y agoPlease don't derail discussions with zero-effort, low-substance nonsequitur oneliners like this.
- totallywrong 3y agoSorry you're right. But you are being pedantic. These are quick hacks that might come in handy a couple times per year, maybe. Bringing up security, alternative native tools, and even trying to find a formal definition for "most people" is, imo, missing the point.
- deleted 3y ago[deleted]
- cxr 3y agoOkay, so what is the point (in terms more specific than "quick hacks that might come in handy a couple times per year", and for whom, exactly)?
- yunohn 3y agoYou can definitely be in situations where you have python but not gzip.
- deleted 3y ago[deleted]