Let's get down to business Sup Forums , to the real important questions.
zach on July 1, 2009 | parent | favorite | on: Ask HN: Why Python over Ruby?
Ruby has clever syntax. Python has pure syntax.
Ruby has method aliases. Python does not allow a string to capitalize itself.
Ruby uses Ruby methods within Ruby classes to extend Ruby. Python has decorators so you can write functions that return functions that return functions to create a new function.
Ruby has strict object-oriented encapsulation. Python is laid-back about objects, because you probably know what's going on inside them anyway.
Ruby lets you leave off parentheses so you don't miss objects having attributes too much. Python will let you mix tabs and spaces for indentation, but passive-aggressively mess up your scoping as punishment.
Ruby has seven kinds of closures. Python has one, in the unlikely case a list comprehension won't do.
Ruby's C implementation is a mess of support for language-level flexibility. Python's C implementation is so clean you get the unsettling thought that you could probably write Python using C macros.
Ruby supports metaprogramming for cases when programmers find it more descriptive. Python supports metaprogramming for cases when programmers find it necessary.
Ruby is expressive. Python is direct.
Ruby is English. Python is Esperanto.
Ruby is verse. Python is prose.
Ruby is beautiful. Python is useful.
I like Python, but coming to it after using Ruby for seven years, well, I think it's like dog people and cat people. You can like having one species around, but you're always thinking -- why they can't be more like the other?