Python and Ruby are among some of the most popular programming languages for developing websites, web-based applications, and web services.
In many ways, the two languages have a lot in common. Visually they are quite similar and both provide developers with high-level object-oriented encoding, an interactive shell, standard libraries, and persistence support. However, Python and Ruby are separate worlds in their problem-solving approach because their syntax and philosophies vary greatly, mainly because of their respective stories.
Which one to implement for web development requires thinking a little because all languages have strengths and weaknesses and their decision will have consequences.
Programming and development
Python was developed organically in the scientific space as a prototyping language that could easily be translated into C++ if a prototype worked. This happened long before it was first used for web development. Ruby, on the other hand, became an important player specifically due to web development; the Rails framework extended Ruby's popularity with people developing complex websites.
Which programming language best suits your needs? Here's a quick overview of each language to help you choose:
Python takes a direct approach to programming. Its main goal is to make everything obvious to the programmer. In Python, there's only one "better" way to do something. This philosophy has led to strict language in design.
Python's core philosophy consists of three key hierarchical principles:
Explicit is better than implied
The simple is better than the complex
Complex is better than complicated
This regulated philosophy results in Python being eminently readable and easy to learn, and why Python is excellent for beginner programmers. Python has a large presence in programming introductory courses. Its syntax is very simple, with little to remember. Because its code structure is explicit, the developer can easily know where everything is coming from, making it relatively easy to debug.
The Hierarchy of Python Principles is evident in many aspects of the language. Its use of white space to control flow as a central part of language syntax differs from most other languages, including Ruby. How you indent your code determines the meaning of its action. This use of white space is an excellent example of Python's "explicit" philosophy, the shape a Python application takes explains its logic, and how the application will act.
Unlike Python, Ruby focuses on programming in "human language," and her code reads like a verbal language rather than a machine-based language, which many programmers like, both beginners and experts. Ruby follows the principle of "minimum amazement" and offers countless ways to do the same. These similar methods can have multiple names, which many developers find confusing and frustrating.
Unlike Python, Ruby uses "blocks", a first-class object that is treated as a unit within a program. In fact, Ruby brings the concept of Object Oriented Programming (OOP) to the limit. Everything is an object, even global variables are actually represented within the ObjectSpace object. Classes and modules are themselves objects, and functions and operators are methods of objects. This ability makes Ruby especially powerful, especially when combined with her other main strength: functional programming and using lambdas.
In addition to blocks and functional programming, Ruby provides developers with many other features, including fragmentation, hash and hash types, and mutable strings.
Ruby fans find its elegance as one of its main outlets. At the same time, Ruby's "magic" features and flexibility can make it difficult to track errors.
While coding features and philosophy are the main drivers for choosing a particular language, the strength of a developer community also plays an important role. Fortunately, both Python and Ruby have strong communities.
The Python community already includes a large academic and Linux community and therefore offers many cases of academic use in both mathematics and science. That support gives the community stability and diversity that only grows as Python is increasingly used for web development.
However, the Ruby community has focused primarily on web development from the beginning. It tends to innovate faster than the Python community, but this innovation also causes more things to break. Moreover, although it has become more diverse, it has not yet reached the level of diversity that Python has.
For web development, Ruby has Rails and Python has Django. Both are powerful frameworks, so when it comes to web development, you can't go wrong with either language. Ultimately, your decision will be reduced to your level of experience and your philosophical preferences.
If you plan to focus on building web applications, Ruby is popular and flexible. There is a very strong community built on it and they are always at the forefront of development.
If you're interested in building web applications and would like to learn a language that's used more generally, try Python. You will get a diverse community and a lot of influence and support from the various industries in which it is used. Learn more about Python Vs Ruby