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Comment by jaredonline | Hacker News Reader

Obviously it depends a little on what your startup will be doing. If you'll be doing web based software, then Ruby or Python are the best choices. If you'll be doing iPhone/iOS software, then you'll need to learn Objective-C. Other platforms have their own requirements.

I would figure out which language is best suited toward your startup, and learn that, instead of trying to figure out what language is best, then trying to make your startup fit that language.

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Hi,

We're in agreement on the issue - I'm currently weighing some ideas for a web-based app so that's where I'm looking to expand my proficiency.

I see. I have a bias towards Ruby and Rails because that's what I do. I've never used Python or Django, but I've heard that they're comparable.

That being said, I would recommend you learn Ruby 1.9.2 and Rails 3.1. The community is great, the framework is amazing, and there are a lot of resources freely available, like Railscasts, to help you along your way.

I would stay away from PHP and Java.

Thanks a million - you're actually not the first person to mention staying away from Java and PHP - why is that, I wonder?

Well, Java is just a pain in the arse to setup and configure. And PHP lacks the same sorts of tools you can get with the Ruby community.

Not to mention PHP only really started making an attempt at OOP with PHP 5, and Ruby was designed from the onset to be OOP. Everything in Ruby is an object, so you can do some really neat stuff like 1.to_s to turn an Integer into a String. Add Ruby's cleanliness and readability to the mix, and it's a standout winner over PHP.

Great stuff, thanks for taking the time to respond! I found what looks to be a good book on Ruby on Amazon (by it's creator and another co-writer)

I'm a book-learner myself, and I highly recommend the Ruby and RoR books from Pragmatic Programmers (http://www.pragprog.com)

Wonderful - I've looked at the titles, there's a lot of interesting stuff by the looks of it. Is there a particular Ruby title you'd recommend to a beginner Ruby programmer?

Sorry for the late response. I would look at Agile Web Development With Rails (4th Ed), Programming Ruby (2nd Ed), and The RSpec Book.

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