.java

musings on java and object oriented software development

Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Ruby zeolots: why do you hate us so much ?

I'm getting so bored of such glaringly obvious flamebait like "Let Java retire from the spotlight of web applications in dignity". Really, isn't there something more productive you could be doing with your time than to diss Java developers ?

Bloggers like this are just adwhores - I mean, after visiting www.indicthreads.com I almost came away with a rash there was so many google adwords occupying every available space and adlinks popuping up at every hover.

Anyway it seems to be two types of Ruby enthusiast out there:
  • the Moderates: these guys like the language, use it as the best tool for whatever job they're doing, understand its strengths and weaknesses and;
  • the Zealots: these are the kind of people that who, blindly, at every opportunity go on about Ruby this and Ruby that simply because they like being cutting-edge or think they are 1337.
Even though I don't know much about it, I'm starting to get into Ruby, especially Nitro & Og 'cause the developers on the mailing lists don't seem to be the Zealot types.

Zealot types are just a turn off, but I guess that is what their intent is: to keep their little niche exclusive. I've worked with a few over the years and they tend to be the types who don't last that long.

You've got to be pragmatic not just about programming in a particular language but, but the programming language you choose. For career development its better to develop general software engineering skills than to throw all of your eggs into a particular basket.

Monday, January 09, 2006

Tapestry on Slashdot: the troll magnet

Howard Lewis Ship mentions that Tapestry has made slashdot.

Makes me laugh how it only takes 3 posts (when viewed on the default threshold) before someone mentions Fortran / C or some other archaic language. Gotta love slashdot and its troll magnet effect.

Anyway, Tapestry has finally made 4.0 after many months of betas. It must be said, though that Tapestry x.0 releases are generally very stable, unlike lots of other OSS.

Tapestry 4.0 is a lot easier to learn than previous versions and probably still the best web framework for Java out there, so congrats to all involved.