From: Gennady Bystritksy <gfb@...>
Date: 2005-01-22T07:48:34+09:00
Subject: Re: Reasons to consider learning Ruby?

Preston Crawford wrote:
> I'm completely new to Ruby and Python. I'd like to learn another language 
> I currently know most of the Microsoft mainstays like VB, C#, ASP, 
> VBScript as well as JavaScript, Java, PHP, etc. I'm interested in learning 
> another scripting language, mostly for fast proto-typing and also because 
> I have a gut feeling, that at least in Open Source circles, languages like 
> Python and Ruby are starting to pick up steam for glueing together 
> applications. Now with the news on Slashdot about Rails (as a web 
> developer by profession) Ruby has gained my attention.
> 
> So I'm wondering, for what reasons should I consider learning Ruby? I'm a 
> "Big Book" type of guy. I love buying one of those tree-killers and diving 
> into a new language. I'm trying to decide whether my next language to 
> learn will be Ruby or Python. I already know a bit about what makes Python 
> good. So my question to you guys is, why Ruby? 
> 
> Also, do any of you have a feeling as to the future of Ruby? I know these 
> things can change on a dime, but my main interest in this regard is that I 
> know many shops are considering non-web-based Open Source solutions to 
> replacing existing Visual C++ and VB applications. Acting as an oracle 
> (i.e. taking a guess :-) ) what kind of future do you think Ruby has in 
> this regard?
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> Preston
> 

Buy yourself a "Big Book" called "Programming Ruby, The Pragmatic 
Programmers' Guide" by Dave Thomas and get enlightened ;-). You can get 
the book at http://www.pragmaticprogrammer.com/catalog/index.html

Alternatively, you can search the ruby-talk archives at
http://www.ruby-talk.org/ruby/ruby-talk/index.shtml

for something like "Ruby vs. Python". You will find a lot of "why Ruby" 
reasons there.

Read, compare, decide for yourself. Do not expect anybody to set you on 
"the right road".

Gennady.

P.S. Your post is very generic and smells like a troll (I beg your 
pardon if it is not), so do not expect a lot of responces here, people 
are just tired.