On Fri, 2009-09-04 at 06:18 -0700, dan06 wrote: > I'd like to learn a programming language - and I need help deciding between > python and ruby. I'm interesting in learning what are the difference, both > objective and subjective, between the two languages. I know this is a python > mailing list, so knowledge/experience with ruby may be limited - in which > case I'd still be interested in learning why members of this mailing list > chose python over (or in addition to) any other programming language. I look > forward to the feedback/insight.
IMO "python vs. ruby", "vi vs. emacs", "gtk vs qt" and company are all kind of comparisons where the ultimate "right" outcome is invariably a matter of taste. Both languages are powerful, mature and flexible enough to be used as an "all round" programming language. The only "objective" factor that IMO is truly important in the choice is if you are planning to develop for a specific platform that is biased towards one of the two. For example, I am using a linux distro (ubuntu) which is strongly python-oriented, and picking python instead of ruby makes my development cycle easier/smoother (all most commonly needed libs are in the repos, packages are up-to-date, most of the documentation has been ported to the standard developer's help application, etc...). As for "subjective" reasons, I can only share those that played a role *for me*: 1. Python community is fun-oriented: having fun while programming and while learning is part of the established python-culture. I tend to be an happy person, and I simply enjoy reading a book or following a tutorial that cracks a joke here and there and that does not take itself too seriously. 2. Whitespace is significant: this in turns makes code look very much alike on a page regardless of whom wrote it. Code is clean... I tend to be a clean person too! ;) 3. Python is heavily adopted by companies with a long-standing tradition of openness (in the sense of free-as-in-freedom-software). I could name here at least two: Canonical ltd. (mother of ubuntu) and Google inc. (you might have heard of it already ;). 4. I love the "monthy python". 5. Support in python communities is awesome, again I believe this has something to do with the "python-culture". Take this list as an example: it seems that people here made an oath to go the extra mile in helping others, and supporting them in their own learning. 6. Python comes with "batteries included" (i.e. the core distribution has a lot of functionalities that in other languages would require you to import external resources). While this makes it slightly bigger than more essential languages, I still feel the trade-off in terms of productivity and fun are worth the extra weight). That's why *I* chose python over ruby. As Luke already said, I would be happy too to know your reasoning if you would finally choose to go for ruby! Best luck, Mac. _______________________________________________ Tutor maillist - Tutor@python.org To unsubscribe or change subscription options: http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/tutor
