Ruby thread scheduler uses gettime.. DANGER!!!
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RAD with Ruby
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· Score: 2, Informative
I like both ruby and python. In a recent project were we tried to use ruby for linux OS control I came across a dangerous problem.
The Ruby thread scheduler relies on gettime to schedule threads. What's the problem with this? Just change our clock back in time will running a threaded ruby application. You'll notice that your thread stalls and will stay that way until time catches up with it.
For this reason alone I can never recommend Ruby until it gets a proper thread scheduler that employs a more reliable scheduling method or uses pthreads.
I think many people have hinted at some good ideas with regards to teaching good principals, challenging childeren, and keeping their interest through visual stimulation.
Java gives a good SDK for developing visual applications relatively quickly. It's highly typed and object oriented so it provides some conceptual models that must be learned, you can just go freely writing crappy code like with other languages (not naming names). The combination of the JDK with a solid base language gives a good teaching platform.
Mindstorms require the use of varying degrees of logic to solve varying degrees of problems and has the benefit of seeing results quickly and easily.
As a clean programming language I think Python is also a good solution as many people have pointed out. The only thing I'm unsure of regarding Python is the ability to produce something engaging without knowing Tkl or X ugliness.
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I like both ruby and python. In a recent project were we tried to use ruby for linux OS control I came across a dangerous problem.
The Ruby thread scheduler relies on gettime to schedule threads. What's the problem with this? Just change our clock back in time will running a threaded ruby application. You'll notice that your thread stalls and will stay that way until time catches up with it.
For this reason alone I can never recommend Ruby until it gets a proper thread scheduler that employs a more reliable scheduling method or uses pthreads.
I think many people have hinted at some good ideas with regards to teaching good principals, challenging childeren, and keeping their interest through visual stimulation.
Java gives a good SDK for developing visual applications relatively quickly. It's highly typed and object oriented so it provides some conceptual models that must be learned, you can just go freely writing crappy code like with other languages (not naming names). The combination of the JDK with a solid base language gives a good teaching platform.
Mindstorms require the use of varying degrees of logic to solve varying degrees of problems and has the benefit of seeing results quickly and easily.
As a clean programming language I think Python is also a good solution as many people have pointed out. The only thing I'm unsure of regarding Python is the ability to produce something engaging without knowing Tkl or X ugliness.