From: Abe Vionas_MailingList Date: 2004-10-27T23:11:19+09:00 Subject: The real Ruby vs. Python. What it comes down to is what it's coming down to for me... platform maturity. Python on windows has a broad range of libraries available for anything you could ever dream of: Apache, Java, Email, Protocols, GTK, Qt, Tk, OpenGL, PostgreSQL, MySQL, etc etc etc. As far as Python library availability for Linux, I really don't know, as I was only looking for windows stuff last night. My feeling is that while not being quite as comprehensive as it's windows offerings it still offers a good depth. Ruby, on the other hand, while it has a comprehensive offering on the Linux platform, is hamstrung on windows by it's lack in important areas. If libraries exist, they more often then not are NOT being actively maintained (my research last night indicated that by and large more Python libraries are continually actively maintained). This last point is important because at one time or another Ruby has HAD libraries to cover any need, but without active maintenance they are nearly worthless. I for one will not even look at a library that hasn't had a release in 2004. So, this is what it comes down to for me... Which language offers what I need in terms of libraries? I decided to go looking after having an excrutiating time finding just Ruby FastCGI, mod_ruby, and PostgreSQL libraries which would actually work on Windows - forget being maintained at all. No luck though. Even a post to the Ruby-Talk list asking for help with an attempt to install FastCGI for Ruby yielded only one reply. Finally, while the Ruby Gem system is exceptionally easy to work with and a real boon to Ruby, it doesn't quite match the ease of installing ANY given Python library. Every Python windows library for the most part comes with a windows installer (exe or msi). Keep in mind that it may be more doable to run Ruby on windows given substantial C programming/compiling experience, I don't know. Obviously, if I had the experience to satisfy that statement I would be able to answer my own question. : -) So, for those of us who aren't C gurus and don't run Linux, Python seems to win out when compared to Ruby. Which is unfortunate because I really love Ruby, and don't like a number of Python elements. However, having the capabilities I need is much more important than syntax preferences at the moment. Sadly, in order for Ruby to really take over the world it will require a more substantial focus on providing windows compatible libraries and maintaining those libraries. If Ruby continues to be a Linux-centric language... I don't know. It just seems to me fairly obvious that in order to have true dominance you have to meet the needs of the major platforms. Python does this moreso then Ruby. And believe me, I wish it were the other way around. I'll keep my eye on Ruby, and return when it offers the essentials I require. But until then I'll be laboring under a hot Python sun. Regards, Abe Vionas __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Address AutoComplete - You start. We finish. http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail