-----Original Message-----
From: list-bounce / example.com [mailto:list-bounce / example.com] On Behalf
Of Reggie Mr
Sent: Friday, July 14, 2006 6:56 AM

>  Write it C.

I find this answer to be unsatisfactory.  I do not know C and neither do
many others who like Ruby but want better performance.  The knowledge
and syntax demands of programming in Ruby and C are worlds apart.  It is
not much different than telling someone to go code in (modern)
Assembler!  

I think the more that Rubyists acknowledge and try to directly solve the
language's performance hindrance rather than rationalizing it away, the
better the prospects for the success of our beloved language.  Of
course, better algorithms can produce better performance, but that
argument is also true for the languages with which Ruby compares
unfavorably in performance.  Please do not claim that Ruby's adoption by
others is irrelevant:  a good idea is worth spreading, and the more
users, the better library support and learning resources available to us
all.
Also, please do not tell me to rewrite Ruby, myself, if I care about
performance.  As stated, I do not know C or have the interest and time
to devote to such an undertaking.  I do promote Ruby to friends and
colleagues in ways that I can.  We should be able to have a legitimate
desire for language improvements without being characterized as
ignoramuses, nay-sayers or lazy spectators.

Regards,
Jamal