JRuby Versus Python

Thanks for the question Ann,

I'm going to answer this on the mailing list in case this question is useful to others.  

Python is a great language.  It has a lot of the power of Ruby.  When you are off the JVM comparing C-Python to C-Ruby there are definite differences between the two languages that might lead you in one direction or another.  For example with Python the garbage collector runs at a set interval for a determinate amount of time.  Ruby on the other hand uses a mark and sweep collector that is a lot more like Java.  Python on C is also a lot more performant than C-Ruby.

When you bring both languages on the JVM two other differences come to mind.  One,  web development frameworks.  Ruby has rails,  Merb,  Camping etc. along with loads of testing frameworks etc..  Python has DJango and a handful of testing frameworks,  but also from the benchmarks that I have seen (and Your Mileage May Vary) it appears to be much slower than JRuby on the JVM.  

If you are looking for another language to learn,  JRuby is fun.  If you are not happy with DJango,  need better performance than Jython (but not as much as pure Java would give you),  or want to leverage other Ruby code then Ruby would be worth your while.  

If  you don't have any specific uses for the language other than curiosity you might want to consider having a look at Clojure,  Scala or (if you are really adventurous)  Erlang.  The functional paradigm will really stretch your mind.

Thy Python community tends to have more of a scientific/mathmatical slant whereas the Ruby community has a younger start up Web 2.0 type of feel to it........and you are not forced to use all of those tabs with Ruby :)

Lance

PS:  Great Blog!

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