On Sun, Sep 30, 2012 at 10:58 PM, tcgo <tomeu...@gmail.com> wrote: > Hi! > I'm really new to Usenet/Newsgroups, but... I'd like to learn some new > programming language, because I learnt a bit of Perl though its OOP is ugly. > So, after searching a bit, I found Python and Ruby, and both of they are cute. > So, assuming you'll say me "learn python", why should I learn it over Ruby? > Thanks! > PS: I don't want to start a flame-war, I just want an advice if it's possible > please!
I'm not going to touch Ruby, partly because I don't know it, and partly to avoid a flame war, but here's some good reasons to learn Python: * It's a modern, object-oriented, high level language. * As of version 3.3 (do make sure you grab this one, there's lots of enhancements), it has absolutely correct AND efficient Unicode string handling. I know of only one other language that can store "Hello" as a five-byte string, while simultaneously allowing perfect handling of the entire Unicode range. * Python's syntax is clean and easy to handle. Be aware, though, that some things are distinctly different from C-family languages. * You get an excellent set of modules. Python has "batteries included" (the standard library is extensive) and a whole set of custom batteries on speed dial (check out PyPI). * Easy networking support. You can write servers or clients for many popular internet protocols with just a few lines of code. Simple TCP sockets are also easy. * Python is an open source project with a permissive license. * Superb community support. You can ask a question here and get a response in minutes. :) You're not going to be left hanging when you have a problem. * With very VERY few exceptions, your code will run flawlessly on any of the many platforms Python supports. Python does have some issues, though; you'll either appreciate the syntax or absolutely hate it, and there's no efficient and reliable way to change/reload code in a running application (not often an issue). I'm sure others will add to this list, and there's at least one entry that someone's likely to disagree with me on, but there's a start! ChrisA -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
