JD-Salinger

im having trouble of choosing a language to learn, ruby or python? in what way python is ahead of ruby?, ive been hearing good stuff about python about its clear and readable syntax and ive read that ruby has good and readable syntax too, does anyone of you here touched ruby and python? which of the two do you prefer to newbies? which is more productive? in what areas of computer technology(web,gaming,app development) is more productive?

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Mad_guy

Your post is extremely vague and because of it an accurate answer can't be determined (at least not by my brain) - productivity especially is not only a function of the language, but the ecosystem surrounding it (this includes things like libraries and tools.) Because of this, 'productivity' is so highly variable that speaking of it is pretty meaningless in this context. Python might have a better graphics library available. Perhaps ruby has better web frameworks available. These determine how productive you will be with the language and the tools you're given - just asking 'which is more productive' does not give us an adequate picture of the whole, and any assessment on which is more productive without taking things like the task at hand, your working environment as well as ecosystem into account is, in my opinion, going to be worthless and probably just nonsensical.

You can always generalize, of course, but that's to be taken with a grain of salt (moreso than the people making the generalizations probably want you to take.)

To be quite honest, your question isn't easily answered and will be swarmed with opinions of all different caliber. If you want an answer that actually matters to you, then you need to go try python, and try ruby and figure out which one you like. Learn them both, look at the tools, the libraries and the community, and make an educated judgment based on that. We can't choose the food you'd like to eat, either.

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JD-Salinger

thanks.... so python has a better graphics library and ruby has better framework in web development... how about in application development? does ruby excel in making gui apps?

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lectricpharaoh

He was using those as examples of what might be the case, not what necessarily is.

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L7Sqr

You are asking the wrong questions. Ruby/Python/C/Assembly dont excel in anything. They just are. Some things are easier done with one than another. However, if you are more comfortable with C and have yet to learn Python/Ruby, then C would be the better choice.
The point is that you are the one who will need to excel at anything. Languages are tools. In general, it is helpful to have a full toolbox.
My advice; learn as many languages as you can and use the ones you find to work the best.

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JD-Salinger

what im saying is in relation with each other. does ruby excel in python in making gui apps?.

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MiKuS

for general support i believe python has a larger user base, mailing list's and such. you'll find a few resident python coders at these forums. i don't see any activity about ruby in general on these forums.

the general support for python as mentioned means lots of existing code, there are a few frameworks for making front ends for and games and such so i'd say it is the logical choice.

python!

big_k105

Python has been around a little longer then Ruby, but only by like 4 years. I believe that Python has come the larger user base but Ruby is growing pretty good these days because of the Ruby on Rails web framework. I have looked into both languages, but haven't spent much time learning either of them. From the little I have read about each Python does have more libraries available, but I think Ruby might be starting to catch up. Like I said I don't have much experience with either. I have written some really basic scripts and web sites with Python, and have written some really basic web sites using Ruby on Rails. I haven't done anything outside of web development with Ruby as of this point. Just haven't had the need for either language really.

As for which would be better for a beginner I would probably recommend Python but only because it has the larger user base. If you look at the syntax of both languages they are very similar so from that stand point they are a lot a like. I don't know what your goals are for the language you choose but that could help you decide which one to start with.

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L7Sqr

I understand what you are saying. You are missing the point.
If Python has the best GUI toolkit and library base but you dont undertand (or cant use) the tools then they are useless to you.
You have to learn each and make that decision yourself. I might claim that Ruby has the best syntax/support/whatever and my friend might claim the exact opposite. Where does that leave you?
The advice you have received is good. You should take that and do some of your own investigation.

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Infinite Recursion

My opinion on the matter is in favor of Python, but that is only because Ruby is still relatively new to me.

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