Buzz Watch: Ruby on Rails

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Ruby on Rails is getting more and more buzz each time I open my browser. This time it was Bruce Tate claiming that Java is dead ("like COBOL, not Elvis") and that he was turning to Ruby on Rails as his framework for application development.

A few days ago I also noticed a define/tutorial on Ruby on Rails over at O'Reilly. More and more of these seem to be popping up of late.

The most interesting thing about this buzz, however, seems to be the shift in the pendulum swing to a language that is light and airy, one which isn't belabored by the stiffness of strong types.

I remember the process of learning Java - there seemed to be a lot of people coming from a C/C++ background who perpetually scowled at the VB/Microsoft/Webby/Scripter types like me. Now many of this camp are turning away from that rigidity and heading back to the land of "dynamic" typing.

Pendulum swing... a few days ago I met with a prospective client and they showed me an app they were using that was written in PowerBuilder. I don't know much about PowerBuilder but the app seemed quick, flexible, and tightly coupled with the database. What's most ironic is that the reason I was there was to help with stored procedures and triggers that would let them add business logic to the otherwise light and airy environment in which their application came into being.

Deja vu, all over again.

I've got Ruby on Rails on my watch list. Go to the official website and there's even a movie amongst the tutorials.

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