Introduction
Ruby is a dynamic, open source, object-oriented and reflective programming language. Ruby is considered similar to Perl and Smalltalk programming languages. It runs on all types of platforms like Windows, Mac OS, and all versions of UNIX.
Python is a simple, easy to learn, powerful, high level and object-oriented programming language. It is an interpreted scripting language also. Guido Van Rossum is known as the founder of python programming.
Comparision
Ruby offers developers more freedom. Its conception allows you to solve one problem using numerous approaches, depending on your need and preferences, providing developers with highly flexible options. Experienced Ruby developers know many tricks using a few code lines to solve problems, making Ruby code much more elegant, especially when it comes to the web development framework Ruby on Rails. However, this is a double-edged sword, and learning written code highly depends on its author’s expertise; otherwise, debugging can become a challenge.
In turn, Python follows a more conservative approach to programming: all must be visible to developers. The philosophy of “one possible solution for one problem” possibly makes Python code a bit bulky compared to Ruby. However, programmers always have a clear and transparent picture of element interaction in code. From this angle, Python has an advantage in the case of debugging performance and learning code. Additionally, a more straightforward approach to coding decreases the entry threshold for newbies in learning Python.
Though both these programming languages are quite similar, they differ in terms of language, flexibility, web frameworks, and other factors.
Language
Ruby is a flexible and easy coding language for web developers that makes it possible to practice numerous tricks for developing enterprise web apps. On the other side, Python integrates a more direct approach where everything is precisely visible to the web developer.
Flexibility & Popularity
Ruby inherits Perl’s philosophy that says, “There’s more than one way to do it.” Therefore, it offers multiple ways to accomplish a task, which sometimes accelerates the complexity levels. Python works on the philosophy of “There should be one—and preferably only one—obvious way to do it.” Though Python’s code is not flexible, it is more readable to even the amateur programmers. When it comes to popularity, Python is more popular by being the third most used language for web development.
Testing & Troubleshooting
No matter what programming language and web framework you choose for your next web app development, testing the code is a crucial step and must be followed as early as possible in the development process. Both Ruby and Python possess capable toolsets for effective testing and troubleshooting.
Web Frameworks
Both Ruby on Rails and Django helps you build responsive web applications. Since both Ruby and Python are programming languages, they deliver similar performance. Both languages are based on the MVC framework; they provide traditional models, controllers, views, and database migrations.
Reusable Code
Reusable codes in Ruby are known as “Gems” whereas, in Python, they are called “Modules”. In Python, the modules are available through PyPI, and the user can search for more than 1,50,000 modules. In Ruby, the users can search around 1,50,000 gems.
Usage
Both Ruby and Python programming languages are popular in the world of technology and web development. Ruby can be seen on popular websites that include Apple, Airbnb, Groupon, Shopify, Twitter, and Github. On the other hand, examples of Python websites include Instagram, Google, Mozilla Firefox, Pinterest, Washington Post, and National Geographic.
Performance
While choosing a programming language for your next web application project, performance must not be a deciding factor as the initial objective of the coding is to solve the proposed problem. If you decide on selecting an open-source programming language, the possibilities are that an optimized library must already exist for achieving the intended goal.
Conclusion
It will be unfair to declare “a winner” between Ruby and Python. Both of them are powerful high-level languages loved by developers. However, you have to remember that Ruby and Python suit better for different application types. If you are planning to develop data-heavy websites and applications with built-in elements of machine learning – choose Python. In case you expect fast web application development – Ruby is a great choice