I\'m checking if two strings a and b are permutations of each other, and I\'m wondering what the ideal way to do this is in Python. From the Zen of
Go with the first one - it's much more straightforward and easier to understand. If you're actually dealing with incredibly large strings and performance is a real issue, then don't use Python, use something like C.
As far as the Zen of Python is concerned, that there should only be one obvious way to do things refers to small, simple things. Obviously for any sufficiently complicated task, there will always be zillions of small variations on ways to do it.