Why I chose Python over Ruby

[Xavier Morel]

Re: Why I chose Python over Ruby

Bil Kleb wrote:[color=blue]
> Xavier Morel wrote:[color=green][color=darkred]
>>> 2) Ruby does not have true first-class functions living in the same
>>> namespace as other variables while Python does :
>>>
>>> In Ruby you need extra syntax that ruins the "first-class-ness" :
>>>[/color]
>> The extra syntax is a side-effect of the parensless call of method, it
>> doesn't mean that methods are not first-class objects.[/color]
>
> The parensless calls also allow one to write beautiful
> DSLs with Ruby.
>
> --
> Bil
> http://fun3d.larc.nasa.gov[/color]
Yes, they're a tradeoff, they have both advantages and inconvenients.

Matz decided that the advantages were more than worth the inconvenients,
and it is often true indeed for Matz built the language with this very
feature (and some others) in mind.

[Roy Smith]

Re: Why I chose Python over Ruby

In article <duh29a$klr$2@v ilya.larc.nasa. gov>,
Bil Kleb <Bil.Kleb@NASA. gov> wrote:
[color=blue]
> The parensless calls also allow one to write beautiful
> DSLs with Ruby.[/color]

What's a DSL?

[Marcin Mielżyński]

Re: Why I chose Python over Ruby

Roy Smith wrote:[color=blue]
> In article <duh29a$klr$2@v ilya.larc.nasa. gov>,
> Bil Kleb <Bil.Kleb@NASA. gov> wrote:
>[color=green]
>> The parensless calls also allow one to write beautiful
>> DSLs with Ruby.[/color]
>
> What's a DSL?[/color]

Domain Specific Language. It is easy to tweak Rubys syntax and semantics
into something that looks like another language designed for a specific
task.

lopex

[Bil Kleb]

Re: Why I chose Python over Ruby

Marcin Mielżyński wrote:[color=blue]
> Roy Smith wrote:
>[color=green]
>> What's a DSL?[/color]
>
> Domain Specific Language. It is easy to tweak Rubys syntax and semantics
> into something that looks like another language designed for a specific
> task.[/color]

For example, see Margin Fowler's articles:

http://martinfowler.com/bliki/DomainSpecificLanguage.html

http://www.martinfowler.com/articles/rake.html

Regards,
--
Bil

http://fun3d.larc.nasa.gov

[Torsten Bronger]

Re: Why I chose Python over Ruby

Hallöchen!

Marcin Mielżyński <lopexx@autogra f.pl> writes:
[color=blue]
> Roy Smith wrote:
>[color=green]
>> In article <duh29a$klr$2@v ilya.larc.nasa. gov>,
>> Bil Kleb <Bil.Kleb@NASA. gov> wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>> The parensless calls also allow one to write beautiful DSLs with
>>> Ruby.[/color]
>>
>> What's a DSL?[/color]
>
> Domain Specific Language. It is easy to tweak Rubys syntax and
> semantics into something that looks like another language designed
> for a specific task.[/color]

Yes, however, this is also true for Python in my opinion. It boils
down to a matter of taste. I deliberately left C++ one year ago. I
looked at various alternatives.

After a short time I concentrated on Ruby v. Python. I read a lot
of language comparisons (with both biases). Well, my conclusion
was: All "this language has this, and this language has that" is
pretty pointless because both languages are very similar and equally
sophisticated. I found the appearance of Python code more
appealing, that was all. The "fits my brain" argument is much more
useful than all discussions about things like continuatons or
multiple inheritance.

The actual reason to choose Python was its set of tools, modules,
and Usenet participants. I don't want to do something manually in
Ruby which I could have had ready-for-use in Python just for
infinitesimally nicer syntax. Probably I'm just too old for
language adventures. Ruby might be good enough for me in three
years but I want to have the full fun now.

Tschö,
Torsten.

--
Torsten Bronger, aquisgrana, europa vetus ICQ 264-296-646

[Xavier Morel]

Re: Why I chose Python over Ruby

Torsten Bronger wrote:[color=blue]
> Yes, however, this is also true for Python in my opinion.
>[/color]
Ruby's ability to generate DSLs is an order of magnitude better than
Python's at least.
I only know of the Lisp dialects that get better at DSLs.

Check Rails' validation methods (in the models), or if you don't want to
dwelve into rails (which I do understand), go check Why's "Dwemthy's
Array" (http://poignantguide.net/dwemthy/) (note: you may need to read
Why's Poignant Guide to Ruby first, the creation of the Array itself is
fairly tough stuff with metaprogramming black magic and all).

[Mystilleef]

Re: Why I chose Python over Ruby

Simple, clarity! Ruby reads like Perl's younger cousin.

[Torsten Bronger]

Re: Why I chose Python over Ruby

Hallöchen!

Xavier Morel <xavier.morel@m asklinn.net> writes:
[color=blue]
> Torsten Bronger wrote:
>[color=green]
>> Yes, however, this is also true for Python in my opinion.[/color]
>
> Ruby's ability to generate DSLs is an order of magnitude better
> than Python's at least.[/color]

If good DSL includes morphing into another language, this may be
true. However, I think that a good DSL just solves the problem
well, even if it still looks like the original by and large.

Tschö,
Torsten.

--
Torsten Bronger, aquisgrana, europa vetus ICQ 264-296-646