From: gregarican <greg.kujawa@...>
Date: 2006-07-15T00:45:10+09:00
Subject: Re: How to speed up ruby and make it as fast as possible

I prefer to use Ruby for _most_ of my programming work, but still
couldn't imagine using it for every single task. It's just one tool of
many. And the more of these tools you can pick up and use that much
better of a craftsman you will be.

That being said, I would strongly recommend you do learn C. The Ruby
interpreter relies on it, Ruby has a very clean, logical interface with
it, and learning it would allow you to tap into a whole other world of
available libraries. Just review some of Pickaxe for basic details
about how it can help make your life easier, not more complex. Plus, as
others have mentioned, learning it would allow to use it for
performance critical portions of your work.

Bad analogy maybe, but being a programmer and not knowing any C is like
a guitarist now knowing any Led Zeppelin :-)

Jamal Mazrui wrote:
> -----Original Message-----
> From: list-bounce@example.com [mailto:list-bounce@example.com] On Behalf
> Of Reggie Mr
> Sent: Friday, July 14, 2006 6:56 AM
>
> >  Write it C.
>
> I find this answer to be unsatisfactory.  I do not know C and neither do
> many others who like Ruby but want better performance.  The knowledge
> and syntax demands of programming in Ruby and C are worlds apart.  It is
> not much different than telling someone to go code in (modern)
> Assembler!
>
> I think the more that Rubyists acknowledge and try to directly solve the
> language's performance hindrance rather than rationalizing it away, the
> better the prospects for the success of our beloved language.  Of
> course, better algorithms can produce better performance, but that
> argument is also true for the languages with which Ruby compares
> unfavorably in performance.  Please do not claim that Ruby's adoption by
> others is irrelevant:  a good idea is worth spreading, and the more
> users, the better library support and learning resources available to us
> all.
> Also, please do not tell me to rewrite Ruby, myself, if I care about
> performance.  As stated, I do not know C or have the interest and time
> to devote to such an undertaking.  I do promote Ruby to friends and
> colleagues in ways that I can.  We should be able to have a legitimate
> desire for language improvements without being characterized as
> ignoramuses, nay-sayers or lazy spectators.
> 
> Regards,
> Jamal