Is buying a put option the same as selling the call option on a stock or index?

What are the driving factors for deciding between buying a put option and selling a call options?

Are there any specific risks in selling options; either calls or puts?

Can I start off in options by selling calls and puts or is too dangerous?

I am planning to start options trader more as a buyer of calls and puts. Are there some basic things that I must remember?

I have decided to test the options market by purchasing call options on the Nifty and individual stocks. Are there are some strategies I can follow for buying calls?

Is buying a put option quite like short selling the stock?

What happens to the value of the call and put options under Black & Scholes when the dividend yields on the index move up due to more liberal payout policies?

When deciding on short selling versus selling futures versus buying put options, what should be my core considerations?

Are index options the same as stock options?

Are there are specific questions I need to ask before buying an option?