Programming in the Ruby Language

ShoeHorn writes: "Here is a good article (1st of a 4 part series), that introduces you to the Ruby language. If you are currently a programmer coming from the likes of C++, Perl, or Python, you will see some strong similarities (especially to Python)."

Comments

Re:Strict languages vs. hacked languages

[smallpaul]

I notice strong distinctions between those languages that have been developed by actual programming language researchers and those who hack together a language to scratch an itch.

"Actual programming language researchers" are typically not even interested in designing languages for general purpose use. Often they are just trying to explore a particular idea of aspect of programming.

Usually the latter turns out to be some baroque conglomeration of features piled on features, creating a very top heavy feeling to the language, while the former classification languages all have a purity to them, e.g. smalltalk, lisp, and c.

I think you're going to have to define your terms if you want to make this point. How were Kernighan and Richie programming language researchers but not Van Rossum and Wall? By now, the latter two have spent about ten years of their lives thinking about almost nothing other than programming languages.

Some would defend the "hack languages" as a means to Rapid Application Development, but Smalltalk has been shown to be the most productive language,

Could you provide a reference to back up that claim? I'd like to see evidence that Smalltalk fares well at system administration or text processing.

and Ruby/Python/Perl all seem to me to have a BASIC odor to them;

Now you are really grasping. That claim isn't even solid enough to refute.

...I'm wondering if people are afraid to learn a new way of speaking?

I don't know...are you? If you are into purity and elegance, I would suggest you give either Python or Ruby a real try. There are many Lisp fans that like both and Ruby is especially popular amoung Smalltalk users.

Don't judge ruby based on the article

[MeowMeow Jones]

There's nothing wrong with it, it just doesn't get into any of the crazy stuff that makes ruby ruby. So wait until the other parts come out or check out the Pragmatic Programmers Guide.

If Python was the result of Lisp and C++ having a baby, Ruby is the result of Perl and Smalltalk having a baby.