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I think that learning a scripting language is critical, but which scripting language is not. I used Perl for a while, then picked up Python, and I just adore Py
by scott_s 14y ago
I think that learning a scripting language is critical, but which scripting language is not. I used Perl for a while, then picked up Python, and I just adore Python. But pick one of Perl, Python, Ruby (or even Bash), and you're in good shape.
So, my actual advice is take a look at Perl, Python and Ruby, see which one excites you more, and commit to learning it for a while.
- new299 14y agoI've actually written small projects in all of them. The one that excited me the most was Ruby (and outside of scripting, golang). Ruby seems clean and small, which I like. But I also question the long term prospects of various languages. There seems to have been an explosion of languages in the last few years and I wonder how many will survive long term. Then I'm possibly just spoiled by C and C++, which just seem to maintain a (relatively) mainstream status.
- scott_s 14y agoRuby, Python and Perl are older than you probably realize. Ruby started in 1993, Python in 1991, and Perl in 1987. I would not worry about their long term prospects: they've been around for a while, and I think it's a safe assumption they will be around for a while still. Avoid decision paralysis. If you like Ruby, go with it. As I said, I don't think which scripting language you pick is all that important, but I think it's crucial that you know one.