Converting Perl to Python Code: Using AWS Bedrock and Generative AI (LLM) - Part 1

My experience manually converting Perl to Python on a past project led me to explore automation possibilities.

This article explores using AWS Bedrock and Generative AI to achieve this automation. By leveraging these tools, we can streamline Perl to Python conversion, saving time and effort for future projects.

Perl and Python are both powerful scripting languages used extensively for various applications, from web development to data processing.

However, Python has gained significant popularity due to its readability, simplicity, and extensive libraries. If you have a legacy Perl codebase and are considering migrating to Python, this article will help you understand the process and provide sample code for common tasks.

Key Differences Between Perl and Python

1. Syntax: Python's syntax is more readable and concise compared to Perl's.
2. Variable Declaration: Perl uses $, @, and % to denote scalars, arrays, and hashes, respectively, while Python uses straightforward variable names.
3. Libraries: Both languages have extensive libraries, but Python's ecosystem, especially for data science and machine learning, is more robust.
4. Object-Oriented Programming: Python's OOP implementation is more intuitive compared to Perl's.

Step-by-Step Conversion Process

1. Understand the Perl Code: Before converting, ensure you understand the logic, flow, and purpose of the Perl script.
2. Set Up the Python Environment: Ensure you have Python installed along with necessary libraries.
3. Convert Syntax and Structures: Translate Perl constructs to Python equivalents.
4. Test the Python Code: Verify that the converted code functions as expected.

Sample Conversion

Perl Code Example

# Perl Script to Read a File and Print Lines Containing a Specific Word

use strict;
use warnings;

my $filename = 'sample.txt';
my $word = 'specific';

open(my $fh, '<', $filename) or die "Could not open file '$filename' $!";

while (my $line = <$fh>) {
    if ($line =~ /$word/) {
        print $line;
    }
}

close($fh);        

Equivalent Python Code:

# Python Script to Read a File and Print Lines Containing a Specific Word

filename = 'sample.txt'
word = 'specific'

with open(filename, 'r') as file:
    for line in file:
        if word in line:
            print(line, end='')        

Look at, how python code is simpler than perl code. This is the power of python code.

Automating Conversion with AWS Bedrock and Large Language Models (LLMs)

AWS Bedrock offers powerful tools to leverage machine learning for various tasks, including code conversion. By using LLMs, you can automate the conversion process, making it faster and less error-prone.

Using AWS Bedrock for Code Conversion

1. Set Up AWS Environment: Ensure you have access to AWS Bedrock and the necessary permissions.
2. Select an Appropriate LLM: Choose a model that is trained for code understanding and translation.
3. Input the Perl Code: Provide the Perl code as input to the model.
4. Receive the Python Output: The model generates the equivalent Python code.

Example Workflow

1. Install AWS SDK for Python (Boto3):

pip install boto3        

2. Initialize AWS Bedrock Client:

import boto3

# Initialize a session using Amazon Bedrock
session = boto3.Session(
    aws_access_key_id='YOUR_ACCESS_KEY',
    aws_secret_access_key='YOUR_SECRET_KEY',
    region_name='YOUR_REGION'
)

# Create Bedrock client
bedrock = session.client('bedrock')        

3. Translate Code Using LLM:

It reads the Perl file from the directory and converts to the Python file (.py).

Note: translate_text() method shown in the code for the representation purpose only.

# Example function to translate code

def translate_code(perl_code):
    response = bedrock.translate_text(
        Text=perl_code,
        SourceLanguageCode='perl',
        TargetLanguageCode='python'
    )
    return response['TranslatedText']

# Perl code to be translated

perl_code = '''
use strict;
use warnings;
my $filename = 'sample.txt';
my $word = 'specific';
open(my $fh, '<', $filename) or die "Could not open file '$filename' $!";
while (my $line = <$fh>) {
    if ($line =~ /$word/) {
        print $line;
    }
}
close($fh);
'''

# Get translated Python code
python_code = translate_code(perl_code)
print(python_code)        

Summary:

Converting Perl to Python manually involves understanding the differences in syntax and structures, while using AWS Bedrock and LLMs can automate and expedite the process.

This article provides both a manual approach and an automated method to achieve the conversion effectively.

With these tools, migrating your codebase from Perl to Python becomes a manageable and efficient task.

For Part 2, use this link - https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/converting-perl-python-code-rag-importance-llm-part-padam-rpqre/

Part 2 describes the importance of the RAG with LLM.