From: Josh Cheek Date: 2012-06-13T12:18:32+09:00 Subject: Re: Why should I learn ruby? --0016e6de17b38a24c904c2520972 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 On Mon, Jun 11, 2012 at 12:17 PM, Kasper Steensig wrote: > I have wondered whether I should learn ruby or python hence they are > both pretty common languages and both look pretty much alike except for > some differences like blocks and how the structure of ruby is. > > So what arguments are there for learning ruby? :) > > Thanks > > -- > Posted via http://www.ruby-forum.com/. > > For someone with no programming experience, I would recommend learning JavaScript. It doesn't have much to offer, except it is ubiquitous and will allow you to quickly start playing with things that you can see tangible results. For Ruby or Python, it will take quite a bit longer before you have anything beyond mind castles. Of course, if you're satisfied with mind castles, then I'd choose Ruby. Mostly because I can't think of anything that Python has to offer except simplicity for beginners. But Ruby is so much more expressive and powerful because of its syntax and support for many different paradigms, each with their own strengths(disclaimer: my python experience is quite limited). Python might make a better language for a total beginner, though, because it is considerably simpler than Ruby since it tries to have only one obviously correct way to solve a problem, whereas Ruby gives you lots of tools to choose the best solution for the problem. Also, don't neglect that there are many viable languages to choose from, depending on your criteria. And, of course, you're asking this on a Ruby forum, so obviously these answers will have a certain bias that you should consider mitigating by querying enthusiasts of alternative languages. -Josh --0016e6de17b38a24c904c2520972 Content-Type: text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable On Mon, Jun 11, 2012 at 12:17 PM, Kasper Steensig <lists@ruby-forum.com= > wrote:

I have wondered whether I should learn ruby or python hence they are
both pretty common languages and both look pretty much alike except for
some differences like blocks and how the structure of ruby is.

So what arguments are there for learning ruby? :)

Thanks

--
Posted via http://= www.ruby-forum.com/.

For someone with no programming e= xperience, I would recommend learning JavaScript. It doesn't have much = to offer, except it is ubiquitous and will allow you to quickly start playi= ng with things that you can see tangible results. For Ruby or Python, it wi= ll take quite a bit longer before you have anything beyond mind castles.

Of course, if you're satisfied with mind castles, t= hen I'd choose Ruby. Mostly because I can't think of anything that = Python has to offer except simplicity for beginners. But Ruby is so much mo= re expressive and powerful because of its syntax and support for many diffe= rent paradigms, each with their own strengths(disclaimer: my python experie= nce is quite limited). Python might make a better language for a total begi= nner, though, because it is considerably simpler than Ruby since it tries t= o have only one obviously correct way to solve a problem, whereas Ruby give= s you lots of tools to choose the best solution for the problem.

Also, don't neglect that there are many viable lang= uages to choose from, depending on your criteria. And, of course, you'r= e asking this on a Ruby forum, so obviously these answers will have a certa= in bias that you should consider mitigating by querying enthusiasts of alte= rnative languages.

-Josh

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