SciRuby: Science and Matrix Libraries For Ruby

Aciel writes "Ruby has long been popular in the web/business community, while Python dominates the scientific community. One new project seeks to bring balance to the force: SciRuby. We've already introduced a linear algebra library called NMatrix (currently alpha status). There's at least one fellowship available for students interested in working on the project this summer."

Comments

Re:"while Python dominates the scientific communit

[mooingyak]

*cough* bullshit *cough*

You first have to realize that there are exactly two programming languages in all existence: ruby and python.

The rest makes more sense if you start from there.

Tell me one thing this brings to the table

[ubergeek]

This seems like a terrible idea. What could scientific computing with Ruby possibly offer that SciPy doesn't already? Way to split the potential work force guys. If you want to develop a scientific computing library for a rich dynamic language, then contribute to SciPy. What a wasted effort.

Re:Tell me one thing this brings to the table

[bwv549]

Unfortunately it ignores the alternative of just using Python

The option of using python is implicitly rejected. Why would the contributors spend time on sciruby when they clearly know scipy exists? Speaking for myself, I've used python and scipy (both numpy and matplotlib) for several projects, but I much prefer coding in ruby to python. All the functionality of scipy isn't going to be duplicated with sciruby, but if the most common use cases are implemented, then I can use ruby for most projects.

this is a misguided waste of time

why? It's easier to re-implement (i.e., borrow from scipy) than implement in the first place, so it doesn't take all that much time. And, as pointed out, this is currently a minor project compared to scipy, so if it is a waste of time then it's not a lot of it.

Python has a "there is only one true way" mentality, so there isn't a lot of room to try and innovate within scipy. Perhaps sciruby will innovate in significant ways and scipy will draw a little from it one day.

and it's nearly inactive anyway

The fellowship and nmatrix commit history would suggest otherwise.

Re:"while Python dominates the scientific communit

[Samantha Wright]

In my experience, scientists will do just about anything to convince themselves that they're not actually programming, if only to avoid pesky annoyances like source code control. The less it looks like a programming language, the better.

Oh god. That would explain why none of their code looks like it's written in a programming language.*

* I work with biologists. By 'they,' I mean biologists. I know you physicists and quantum chemists have it lucky. Stop bragging. You're making me feel bad.

Re:"while Python dominates the scientific communit

[Anonymous Coward]

It cuts both ways. I'm a geneticist, and it's painful having to work with tech guys who don't know the first thing about even basic biology, never mind genetics.

It's the same here on Slashdot. I always cringe every time I load up the comments on a story about genetics or evolution, because I know there'll be a slew of ignorant comments modded up to +5 insightful. At least most scientists know their limitations at programming, but the same cannot be said with regard to non-engineering subjects for many engineers, who feel themselves qualified to comment on just about any topic under the sun, regardless of their lack of knowledge.