[ruby-talk:00939] Re: Python complaints

William Park writes:
> On Thu, Nov 25, 1999 at 08:53:08AM +0100, Clemens Hintze wrote:
> > GOTO Kentaro writes:
> > > # Why don't they use Ruby?? :-)
> > 
> > Two reasons: First, they do not know Ruby very well. Alternatively,
> > second, because it is not Python! :-}
> 
> Perhaps, because Ruby still reminds them too much of Perl?  One main
> reason I prefer Python over Perl is that Python's code is easier on the
> fingers and the eyes (ie. no quoting hell to go through).  With Perl, I

Ok! I know, that is in the eyes of the beholder. But I have also
left Perl mainly because of its ugly syntax and quoting. I was also
going to Python then. But since I have found Ruby, I have left Python
without hesitation :-)))

I have 'ported' some tools of mine from Python -> Ruby. I found the
syntax very similar. It is only that Ruby give you more freedom to
express things.

I would explain it so... Ruby is in its look-a-like not too far from
Python. But it has borrowed some very nice constructs from Perl too.

In its semantik I feel Ruby very close to Smalltalk; not Python nor
Perl! But even here Ruby is only a superset of Smalltalk. ;-)

> spend too much effort looking at the syntax, because there are too many
> different ways of expressing one idea; whereas with Python, I spend time
> looking at the overall "flow", because there are very few ways of
> expressing that same idea.

Yep! I know this argument. But I cannot share it! If you stands right,
you should search a language that is designed for minimalists
(e.g. only *one* loop construct). I like to have more than one way to
express things. I feel, believe it or not, that sometimes one way is
more appropiate than the other ones! And it is nice a language will
support me here. :-)
 
> 
> But, I am still trying to grasp Ruby...  I wish there was better

I have used Python for some years in our company. It was not easy to
introduce it there as anybody use Bourne-Shell with AWK only. First I
know Perl and tried to bring it into my departement. After
half-a-year, Perl was widely accepted. There were only a few
programmers remaining use AWK.

Then I have discovered Python. When I try to introduce it into the
department, colleagues was a little disappointed. What another
language yet! But slowly they have accepted the readability of Python
over Perl.

And now, I come with Ruby ;-)))) But astonishly there seems not to be
too much resitance here :-/

> documentation in English.  Maybe, if I learn Ruby, I'll write short
> introduction.

Number of documentation and availability of modules, are the most
deficites of Ruby. But I think, however, you should not have too much
difficulties to grasp it. :-)

And if there is anything you cannot understand, ask us!

> 
> 	Yours truly,
> 	William Park
> 

\cle

-- 
Clemens Hintze  mailto: [e-mail]