Public Void - Programming Blog (Beta)
A programming blog covering C/C++, Java, Perl, PHP, Python, Ruby, Ruby on Rails, and UNIX/Linux shell scripting.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Choosing Your Goggles: Ruby or Perl, Python or Rails
An analysis of four language creatorsIn my continuing my exploration of programming languages, I happened these insights on four programming language creators.
What sticks out here is the assertion of programming language creators as progenitors of a culture of thought. The idea that programming languages and their associated syntax shape thought-process and design solutions is not new, if significant. What is interesting to me an aspiring programmer (or at least, a pupil) is looking not just at the syntax itself but also the philosophy and intent of each language's respective creator. Languages are designed to solve communication problems but, as Muli points out, the problems evolve as cultures evolve, and so languages must evolve with them. And so, more than technical prowess, the philosophical aspects of a language creator's intent determine its longevity and, more importantly, its ability to address those evolving problems.
It would follow, then, that Muli's investigation here is advisable for every new programmer--if only to familiarize oneself with each, as one would with each language's benefits and respective syntax. To that end, I am going to listen to the talks that Muli did, and will post any further remarks from these language creators and perhaps some others.
- Yukihiro "Matz" Matsumoto (Ruby): Ruby Design Principles (Abstract)
- Larry Wall (Perl): Perl A to Z (Abstract)
- Guido van Rossum (Python): Building an Open Source Project and Community, Part 1 (Abstract); Part 2 (Abstract)
- David Heinemeier Hansson (Rails): Talk by David Heinemeier Hansson at Carson Workshops Summit (Abstract)
11/06/2006 09:18:00 AM | Choosing Your Goggles: Ruby or Perl, Python or Rails
