Other languages that don't face this, e.g. Python, have very large standard libraries which already include a dizzying array of features. E.g. take a look at some of the things you get with standard Python[0].
- sqlite3 (DB-API 2.0 interface for SQLite databases)
- bz2 (Support for bzip2 compression)
- sunau (Read and write Sun AU files)
- netrc (netrc file processing)
- curses (terminal handling for character-cell displays)
- mailbox (manipulate mailboxes in various formats)