From: "Sean O'Dell" <sean@...[REMOVE_THE_SPAM]>
Date: 2003-08-21T06:51:40+09:00
Subject: Re: Why did you switch from Python to Ruby?

Hannu Kankaanp粐 wrote:
> Sean O'Dell <sean@cSePlsoAfMt.com[REMOVE_THE_SPAM]> wrote in message news:<Ews0b.2919$pl5.1575@newssvr27.news.prodigy.com>...
> 
>>How many posts can you find on Google/Groups (Usenet) from people 
>>stating they used to program in Ruby and switched to something else?
> 
> 
> Okay. Suppose I propose a langauge called 'foo' to you, right here.
> How many people do you know that used to program in 'foo' and switched
> to something else? Does that make 'foo' the best language around?
> 
> Well, of course people do use Ruby. But Python and Perl are better known
> scripting languages, so mostly people start with Python or Perl, then
> hear about Ruby and change to it only if it seems good. The likelyhood
> of someone starting with Ruby and then switching to something is
> just extremely low. Parly because Ruby is good, but mostly because
> people tend to learn Ruby *after*, not *before* the other languages.

That's precisely my point.  People don't switch languages that often; 
not all-out switches.  When someone does, it's interesting to know why. 
  Usually, when someone switches away from something, it's for strong 
reasons and at that point, they're not as emotionally invested in the 
language they're leaving and are more free to express themselves about 
what they didn't like about the language.  It's when people's tongues 
loosen up that you get good, meaty bits of information.  Especially when 
those people gave Ruby a darn good try and really *know* what they don't 
like about it, rather than conjecturing about what they don't like 
before actually trying it.

>>try looking around and finding who left what languages for
>>what reasons and weigh that information.
> 
> Most people who dislike Ruby, don't leave it: They just choose
> not to even start with it. That's the significant part you left
> out from your reasoning.

I didn't offer a comprehensive method for evaluating Ruby, I made a 
single suggestion to help a person in their evaluation of it.  It's just 
one way to gain perspective, take it or leave it.

	Sean O'Dell