From: Tony Smith <tony@...>
Date: 2001-11-14T00:28:49+09:00
Subject: [ruby-talk:25016] Re: Linux Magazine article

On Monday 12 November 2001 23:06,  Dave Thomas wrote:
> Andy & I've been asked to write a feature article about Ruby for Linux
> Magazine (www.linux-mag.com).
> 
> I want to make this an upbeat article, featuring Ruby's strengths, and
> not other language's weaknesses. So, a quick poll request: what
> features of Ruby do you think would most impress or excite someone who
> hasn't used the language yet? What small applications would whet
> people's appetites?

My list:

1. Clean syntax (thank you Matz!!)

I love being able to read the code without all the punctuation. Since picking 
up Ruby, all my very clean and tidy Perl code now looks unsightly to me.

2. Clean architecture

Pure OO implemented in a sensible and considered way. Something for 
everything and everything in its place.

3. Clean API

I maintain Perl and Ruby extensions for the Perforce SCM system. Both make an 
OO C++ interface accessible to scripts. The Ruby code is smaller and isn't 
cluttered with obscure macros, making it much easier for me to maintain and 
for others to read. It took me about three days to get the basics of the 
Perl extension working, and just one day for the Ruby extension.

Tony