The programmer is a C# ASp.NET Developer and is looking to learn his first scripting language. Unfortunately he never had to use it before. He is also looking for something that can be good for his career growth.
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Id have thought C# would count as a scripting language. Are we talking bytecode or just interpretation?Aiden Bell– Aiden Bell2010-05-20 15:18:10 +00:00Commented May 20, 2010 at 15:18
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Perhaps by scripting language he means one with which you can work interactively at a command prompt. That's often one of the unstated assumptions that is present when the term 'scripting language' is used. The candidates discussed below, Python and Ruby, excel in that modality.Adam Crossland– Adam Crossland2010-05-20 16:08:53 +00:00Commented May 20, 2010 at 16:08
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4 Answers
I think that Python is an outstanding choice. It is a real programming language, and it seems to have a great deal of currency, so it is an excellent fit for career growth.
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Ruby does OOP very nicely, is easy to learn, and will be very mind-opening for someone that has only worked with "C-style" languages.
Alternatively, I recommend Python which does not do OOP nearly as nicely as Ruby, but will be just as good from a learning / career perspective.
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Srikar Doddi
Also, which one would be easy and interesting for a beginner Ruby? Python?
Aiden Bell
-1: "Python which does not do OOP nearly as nicely as Ruby". Subjective and just .. wrong.
Adam Crossland
I'm not going to downvote, but I agree with Aiden that the statement in question is very subjective. I would, however, be interested in hearing Justin's reasoning for coming to that conclusion.
Justin Ethier
It is subjective and I should have been more clear. Off the top of my head, Ruby is more object oriented because (1) everything is an object and (2) it supports public, private, and protected access - whereas in python everything is public (at least without jumping through hoops). Don't get me wrong though - I enjoy writing code in both languages, and both are worth learning.
Adam Crossland
Thanks, Justin, and well-said. Point 2 is important in terms of OOP. I have never read an explanation of why Python has no real support for encapsulation, but I'm about to ask Google.
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How about something like python? Simple syntax, and can be used for scripting or for writing more complex object oriented programs. Good language to learn for accomplishing quick simple tasks easily, as well as writing more complicated programs in an easy to type language. Kind of the best of both worlds in my opinion.
My college taught beginning CS classes in python. It's definitely a good language to accomplish things without having to worry about syntax. I'm sure Ruby is ok as well, but Python sure feels cleaner, easier, more robust, more widely used (expanding).
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I question the premise. In my book, If you're an "experienced" OOP programmer, then you also know a scripting language or two. But that's just quibbling over the meaning of "experienced".
But I would recommend...
Javascript - so ubiquitous. A natural complement to ASPNET.
Also useful on the Windows command line.
Includes OO possibilities, if you so desire. (See jQuery)
