woodyee wrote:
> Hi! I'm interested in getting opinions on Ruby as a first language.
> For example, how it compares to python/perl/basic/etc as a first
> language. My goals are to learn the basics of a language, then delve
> into network programming,  and then learn how to interact with the
> operating system programaticallly. Will Ruby help me achieve this
> goal? Will Ruby enable me to transition to other languages (ex.,
> C/Assembly/etc)? Thanks in advance!

Ruby vs. Perl: much cleaner syntax and less typing.

Ruby vs. Basic: although there might be Basic dialects around that have
evolved from the ridiculous line number + GOTO I'd rather not consider it.

Ruby vs. Python: can't comment on that.

Ruby takes away a lot of the nifty details that you would have to deal
with in C or C++ (memory management etc.) or Perl (how many $'s do I need
here?).  OTOH there is no *direct* access to system libs (as from C for
example).  For that you would have to write a C extension.  Still, I think
to initially learn to develop software Ruby is a pretty good choice.

Kind regards

    robert