From: Marc Weber <marco-oweber@...>
Date: 2010-02-03T14:33:29+09:00
Subject: Re: Why Ruby?

> >  - you never know when syntax or similar errors occur..
> >   So live with this risk.
> What?
If you compare PHP with Java you can extend abstract classes in PHP
which will give a runtime error. I'm sure there are some PHP analysis
tools which can detect this kind of error before running your web
application.

> >  - no lambda like functions
> Available since PHP 5.3
He thanks. I only knew about create_function.
For those who are to lazy to look it up (PHP lambda summary):
  Syntax looks like this:

    [static] function (/*args*/) use (&$x, $y) { /* body */ };

  You can use "use" to put vars into the scope of the function body.
  Note that & will create references to the var, no matter which type
  its contents has. If you don't use "use" vars which are also present in
  outer scope will be null.. [static] is used to not include the $this
  reference.

So maybe PHP get's closer. Can you do this as well now?
  echo new FooBar()->fun();

About parallelism: I only used ruby to run some php -l commands to check
syntax in parallel. It's perfect for this kind of task: Create a quick
work list, start 3 threads and pop items off from that list.
That's why I recommended learning Ruby rather than PHP. Because PHP
can't get this job done although it is a scripting language.

Marc Weber