From: James Britt <james_b@...>
Date: 2006-02-24T01:27:34+09:00
Subject: Re: Ruby as First Language

Giacecco wrote:
> Hi Woodyee, how important is this information according to your
> profession?
> 
> If you're doing this for yourself, Ruby will be a great language to
> learn and use.
> 
> But if you are doing this to revise your position in the job market,
> none of the languages you listed will give you much advantage: it's
> Java and/or C# to be obligatory these days in any curriculum.

Your primary goal in learning a language is the most important criteria.

If you are looking first to get insight into programming, go  learn 
Lisp, or enough Lisp to find your way around.

There are free videos online by Hal Abelson and Gerald Jay Sussman of 
their book, Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs

http://swiss.csail.mit.edu/classes/6.001/abelson-sussman-lectures/

The book is available online for free as well.

Then go learn Ruby.

If you are in need of vocational training, go learn Java.

Then go learn Ruby.

> 
> I am certain that Ruby will grow a lot in the next years and things
> will change, but if you have to decide today, and it is for your job,
> Ruby is still too weak.

Highly subjective observation.


-- 
James Britt

http://www.ruby-doc.org       - Ruby Help & Documentation
http://www.artima.com/rubycs/ - The Journal By & For Rubyists
http://www.rubystuff.com      - The Ruby Store for Ruby Stuff
http://refreshingcities.org   - Design, technology, usability