From: James Britt <james_b@...>
Date: 2005-12-22T02:18:12+09:00
Subject: Re: Why not Python? (No, no, I am not a spy)

Tolga wrote:
> First of all and very first of all, I must state that I am not an enemy
> or a spy :-D
> 
> One or two weeks ago, I tried Python and loved it. But I also hearing
> ineteresting things about Ruby nowadays. Which language should I use?
> Oh, yes, this question looks somewhat silly, this is a Ruby group and
> people will tend to give an automatic "Ruby" reply. But as far as I
> see, Ruby (and Python) has a intellectual community. So, I hope that I
> will get logical explanations rather than "holigan" cries.

Pick the language that makes you happy, that best fits your brain while 
enabling to write good code.  It may be Ruby, it may be Python. It may 
be VB.net.  Hard to say; you likely will need to give various candidates 
a serious test drive to make your choice.

Ruby and Python have much in common; I've found that Ruby suits me 
better.   It makes fewer demands on me.

But take a look at

http://www.ruby-doc.org/RubyEyeForThePythonGuy.html
  and
http://ruby-doc.org/whyruby/

> 
> By the way, I am not a computer scientist and these are the reasons why
> I want to learn Python or Ruby. Please consider them when replying:
> 1. I am not a computer scientist.
> 2. I AM interested in artificial intelligence and this is the major
> reason for me to learn a programming language.
> 3. I am familiar, but not experienced, in BASIC, C/C++, Java, Prolog
> and Lisp.

Lisp may have more AI stuff for it.  It's also a nice language.

> 4. I am *NOT* interested in web programming at all
> 5. Nice GUIs always attract me. It is not mandatory but if Ruby can
> provide me this (better than Python) I may immediately run to Ruby.

Ruby offers GUIs.  I don't know if it does better than Python.

> 6. And finally, what is "Rails"? Do I have to learn it if I dive into
> Ruby? Does it necessary for only web?


Rails is a Web app framework.  Strictly optional, and probably not of 
interest unless you want to make web sites.


James
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