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?

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

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

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?

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?

Are index options the same as stock options?

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