Ruby vs. Python: What Is the Difference?

Companies want nothing but the best when choosing a language for a web development project. And, Ruby and Python pretty much stand up to this expectation. Many popular websites, including Netflix, GitHub, and SoundCloud built using these languages. When it comes to Ruby vs. Python, both the languages are very similar but differ in some critical aspects. Subsequently, companies often find it hard to pick a side when choosing between the two.

In this article, we will compare their primary characteristics, differences, and similarities to end the Ruby vs. Python debate. Let’s get started!

But, before we begin to compare Ruby vs. Python, let us first understand the unique functionalities of each language and their importance in the programming world.

Ruby vs. Python: What is Ruby?

What is Ruby?

Ruby, a high-level, interpreted, general-purpose language, was created by Yukihiro Matsumoto in 1995. Ruby is an object-oriented language primarily used for web applications apart from data analysis, prototyping, and more. It is also employed to write software in multiple environments.

For the most part, developers compare coding in Ruby to writing in English. It balances functional and imperative programming, making the code more natural. As a result, Ruby produces an elegant and easy-to-read code while maintaining its expressiveness. 

Ruby is a programming language designed to give programmers power and flexibility. It is used mainly in web development and is the basis for the popular Ruby on Rails framework.

Advantages of Ruby

Here are the pros of using Ruby:

• It is open source
• Offers freedom to developers while implementing creative solutions
• It has clean and easy syntax, so it is easy to learn
• Developers can develop apps of any size in a short duration

 Disadvantages of Ruby

Here are the cons of using Ruby:

• Debugging is complex in Ruby
• Other than web development, it has fewer use cases
• It is limited in documentation, community, and support 
• Difficult to find the gems and libraries

Ruby vs. Python: What is Python?

What is Python?

Guido van Rossum developed and released Python in 1991. Python is a high-level programming language known for its readability, clear syntax, and code readability. As a result, it has extensive use in every field, from data science to machine learning and web development to automation.

Python is an ideal language for rapid application development due to its data structures, dynamic binding, and typing. It also offers the option of using modules and packages, allowing developers to create an organized code base that’s reusable in other applications.

Python has a straightforward syntax, resembling plain English, making it extremely easy to learn. Its emphasis on simplicity made it the first choice for programmers. Moreover, its wide range of libraries such as TensorFlow, Keras, and Theano lend support to developers, making their job easier. 

Advantages of Python

Here are the benefits of using Python:

• Python is a powerful object-oriented programming language with easy-to-read syntax.
• It has an extensive library and supports various programming tasks.
• Python is portable and runs on various platforms such as Windows, macOS, Unix, etc.
• It is simple to write, debug and maintain. 
• Python deals with garbage collection and memory addresses internally to simplify programming.

Disadvantages of Python

Here are the drawbacks of using Python:

• Used in fewer platforms
• It does not support mobile computing, so not used in app development
• Given its dynamic nature, python shows more errors during run-time
• The under-developed and primitive database access layer
• Unavailability of commercial support

Ruby vs. Python: Similarities

Even though there is much debate around Ruby vs. Python, the languages share many similar traits, such as:

• Both Python and Ruby are open-source, making them free to use.
• They are both scripted, server-side, cross-platform, general-purpose programming languages.
• Python and Ruby have a clean and readable syntax, much like English.
• Both are high-level scripting languages, so their programs do not need compiling.
• Since the objects in both languages are strongly and dynamically typed, you do not have to declare variables firsthand. 
• Both are used for web applications and work on multiple platforms.

Ruby vs. Python: Key Differences

Let’s look at the differences between the languages and compare Ruby vs. Python. 

Libraries

Python has been around longer than Ruby and has far more libraries than the latter. These libraries are also more mature and better documented. Python’s libraries are used for a wide range of purposes and by everyone, including web developers, mathematicians, and data analysts, to solve statistical problems or more. 

On the other hand, Ruby’s limited set of libraries focuses on developing robust and scalable web applications. Python comes out as a winner for libraries in Ruby vs. Python. 

Reusable Code

Python has numerous ready-to-use code or “modules” easily accessible through its software repository, PyPI. 

Ruby too offers ready-to-use code called Gems. However, the main difference between the reusable codes lies in the filtering factor. Python allows developers to filter the code by categories such as development status. This feature makes it easier to access the code rather than compare and evaluate it. 

Python comparatively fares well in Ruby vs. Python code reusability. 

Flexibility

Python works on the principle of simplicity. Hence, there is only one way to approach or perform a task in Python. While this aspect makes the code less flexible, it also makes it more readable. 

Ruby, on the other hand, takes the Perl approach. As a result, there are various ways you can approach and do a task in Ruby, giving it more flexibility. However, this flexibility also leads to confusion among developers while reading others’ codes. 

In terms of Ruby vs. Python flexibility, no language suits all. While some developers prefer Ruby to Python, others go with Python because of its rigidity.

Community

Python and Ruby are open-source, with support from dedicated and active communities. As a result, both languages enjoy an impressive array of learning and educational resources online. The communities also influence the direction of each language and update and enhance existing software solutions. 

However, Python enjoys a much larger and more inclusive community than Ruby. This popularity is because Python is everywhere, from academics to data science, and has a slight learning curve.

Ruby vs. Python: Who wins?

Python and Ruby share many similar characteristics and are at times indistinguishable. They are both high-level programming languages with simple syntax. They are also popular choices for web development employed in other fields. This parallelism has given rise to the popular debate of Ruby vs. Python. Yet, when it comes to helping scale-up businesses, Python is preferred. Everything Ruby can do, Python can do better. 

While the Ruby vs. Python debate rages on, the language you choose solely depends on the project requirements. For example, Ruby is the best choice for web development and projects involving machine learning, whereas Python’s libraries offer better support. 

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