[MacRuby-devel] Advice for Total Tyro

[David Frantz]

Well maybe the choice of words isn't great but we have yet to see a version one released.  Maybe version one isn't that far off, but I think it is fair to say most people approach version one of anything software related with reservations.  

Sent from Dave's iPad!

On Oct 17, 2011, at 3:09 PM, Matt Aimonetti <mattaimonetti at gmail.com> wrote:

> " I have to admit that MacRuby is getting better everyday but MacRuby
> is still far from complete."
> 
> Could you elaborate on that please?
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> - Matt
> 
> On Mon, Oct 17, 2011 at 12:02 PM, David Frantz <websterindustro at mac.com> wrote:
>> Here is my perspective, limited as it is.
>> 1.
>> You can not get by without learning Objective C!
>> 2.
>> Objective C really isn't that bad!    As a minor upgrade to C it is fast to
>> pick up, the bulk of your learning will go to the various APIs.   This if
>> you already know a little bit of C.
>> 3.
>> If you want to write apps right now Objective C is the best way to go.   Now
>> I know that many will object to that statement and I have to admit that
>> MacRuby is getting better everyday but MacRuby is still far from complete.
>> Well maybe not far but I think you should grasp what I mean.
>> 4.
>> IOS and MacRuby are currently mutually exclusive.   This is actually the
>> biggest bummer of any point I have listed so far.   If you are interested in
>> iOS devices there is no good reason to even bother with MacRuby.
>> 5.
>> Now things are not all negative here.   For one all platforms need a well
>> integrated scripting language.   MacRuby certainly fills that role but it
>> isn't Python.  Now we don't want to argue the finer points of scripting
>> languages but I find I use Python more than MacRuby because of prior
>> experience and sometimes a better fit for the problem.   So what I'm saying
>> is that MacRuby is sorely needed as a way to build MacOS type apps.
>> 6.
>> MacRuby's status at Apple is unclear.   This can be somewhat frustrating
>> because I'd rather that Apple officially support MacRuby.  Apple does seem
>> to be extremely focused on the "C" dialects only.   Maybe my impression here
>> is wrong, but I'd rather see MacRuby shipped by Apple as part of their
>> developer tools set officially supported.    MacRuby should be as important
>> to Apple as Visual BASIC is to MS.
>> 
>> 
>> In the end it is up to you.   MacRuby is a very interesting project and is
>> why I follow this forum.   For the time being though I do not use MacRuby.
>> The lack of iOS support is one big issue.    The fact that you have to learn
>> Objective C and the APIs anyways is another.   I'm also pressed for time and
>> know at least a little C++ so Objective C is the less painful approach.
>> Also consider this, I made the decision to stay with the C languages a very
>> long time ago.   MacRuby is far closer to complete now so the Alpha/Beta
>> nature is slowly going away.
>> 
>> Sent from Dave's iPad!
>> On Oct 15, 2011, at 8:12 PM, Bryan Harrison <bryan at bryanharrison.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Older & Wisers:
>> Having done enough web development, network design, and systems
>> administration for one lifetime, I've decided this winter is a fine time to
>> leave all that behind and become an applications developer.  Wanting to make
>> consumer products and having no interest in Windows, most of the territory
>> ahead is obvious.
>> But still, I'd appreciate some advice from those who're already there,
>> particularly with regard to MacRuby.
>> Specifically, has development for OS X and iOS reached the point where it
>> would be reasonable to pursue Ruby before or even instead of Objective-C?
>>  I've modest C background, am OOP-familiar, am not versed in Cocoa, and am
>> only marginally familiar with Ruby.  Obviously I'd like to get up to speed
>> as soon as possible, but I'm not under any pressure and expecting this will
>> be the next 5-10 years of my life, would rather be good than quick.
>> Objective-C is not without a certain homely charm, but Ruby is obviously the
>> more modern language.  So…
>> 
>> Does Xcode treat Ruby as family, or is it a stepchild toiling in the ashes?
>>  Are there other tools I'll need?
>> 
>> What's Apple's attitude toward Ruby applications?
>> 
>> Can Ruby take advantage of the (finally!) modern memory management features
>> released with iOS 5?
>> 
>> Will I end up have having learn Objective-C regardless?
>> 
>> Basically, "If you were me, what would you do, and what order might you do
>> it in?"
>> Thanks,
>> Bryan
>> 
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>> 
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