I don't think anybody would want to make you switch. Everybody should use the right tool for the job. And for joy in programming for me the right tool is ruby for you it might be python.
The point I disagree with you is the problems that the existence of a japanese community brings. I hope that python also has some users whoose mother tongue is not english, and ruby has a really nice english speaking community and a helpfull mailing list/newsgroup comp.lang.ruby where matz (the language creator) participates.
I agree that learning a new language is a good thing, but Ruby is actually one of the few languages around, where I just can't motivate myself to put some effort behind it.
From my perspective (troll alert), Ruby looks a lot like Python with the exception of explicit blocks, and that alone is not going to make any single Python developer switch. Also being part of a community where some of the conversations/documentation is done in Japanese (e.g http://jp.rubyist.net/magazine/?0008), doesn't really sound that appealing to me.
Simply put: Ruby is too similar to Python for me to care. Given the immaturity (lack of libraries, three times slower, No JIT, etc), the choice for people like me, already knowing Python, is actually quite easy.
A good thing about Ruby is that it keeps the python-dev guys on their toes thus producing a better Python.
A good thing about Python is that it keeps the ruby-dev guys on their toes thus producing a better Ruby.
I think few people come to a crossroad where they chose either Python or Ruby. Most people will see Java, C, Perl at the crossroad and once they've gone down the Ruby one they'll ignore the sidelining python one because there's little additional benefit for changing your mind.
Diversity is a good thing and everyone should use the tool they best think suits their problem. I can find many good reasons to use C/C++, or even Prolog or Lisp for specific problem domains. However, I really cannot see the light when it comes to Ruby. There is simply to little innovation brought into the game for me to care, but I'm the first to admit that I'm heavily biased, having used Python for more than ten years now.
Talking about the Japanes issue, I think this says it all:
"Does anyone else continually wish they could read japanese and in turn read Matzs blog?"
Sorry, I am surely somehow responsible for this but I do not aim at a ruby is better than python because of ... discussion. I like it, c.l.r and redhanded gives me enough to read about ruby and I like to do gg=G in my vim editor, but I really don't want to evangelicalize anyone.
Comment
I don't think anybody would want to make you switch. Everybody should use the right tool for the job. And for joy in programming for me the right tool is ruby for you it might be python.
The point I disagree with you is the problems that the existence of a japanese community brings. I hope that python also has some users whoose mother tongue is not english, and ruby has a really nice english speaking community and a helpfull mailing list/newsgroup comp.lang.ruby where matz (the language creator) participates.
regards,
Brian
Parent comment
I agree that learning a new language is a good thing, but Ruby is actually one of the few languages around, where I just can't motivate myself to put some effort behind it. From my perspective (troll alert), Ruby looks a lot like Python with the exception of explicit blocks, and that alone is not going to make any single Python developer switch. Also being part of a community where some of the conversations/documentation is done in Japanese (e.g http://jp.rubyist.net/magazine/?0008), doesn't really sound that appealing to me. Simply put: Ruby is too similar to Python for me to care. Given the immaturity (lack of libraries, three times slower, No JIT, etc), the choice for people like me, already knowing Python, is actually quite easy.
Replies
A good thing about Ruby is that it keeps the python-dev guys on their toes thus producing a better Python.
A good thing about Python is that it keeps the ruby-dev guys on their toes thus producing a better Ruby.
I think few people come to a crossroad where they chose either Python or Ruby. Most people will see Java, C, Perl at the crossroad and once they've gone down the Ruby one they'll ignore the sidelining python one because there's little additional benefit for changing your mind.
Diversity is a good thing and everyone should use the tool they best think suits their problem. I can find many good reasons to use C/C++, or even Prolog or Lisp for specific problem domains. However, I really cannot see the light when it comes to Ruby. There is simply to little innovation brought into the game for me to care, but I'm the first to admit that I'm heavily biased, having used Python for more than ten years now.
Talking about the Japanes issue, I think this says it all:
"Does anyone else continually wish they could read japanese and in turn read Matzs blog?"
A Ruby user complaining on: http://redhanded.hobix.com/cult/noteToGuidoOrientalNotOccidental.html.
Sorry, I am surely somehow responsible for this but I do not aim at a ruby is better than python because of ... discussion. I like it, c.l.r and redhanded gives me enough to read about ruby and I like to do gg=G in my vim editor, but I really don't want to evangelicalize anyone.
happy pythoning,
brian