Another Java Convert to Rails
Well, yet another big name Java person has tried and like Ruby on Rails. This time it is Craig Walls, author of Spring in Action and XDoclet in Action.
Honestly, I’m quite impressed. I found that the productivity claims surrounding Rails to be quite accurate. After writing only a single line of code, I had a reasonably functional application. Adding a couple of more lines, I had a one-to-many relationship between two model objects…I can see how Rails eliminates a lot of repetitive grunt work and can likely have a positive impact on productivity even with larger projects.
And the names just keep on coming. It is amazing how many people from the Java world are making the jump to Ruby on Rails. At first they are skeptical, then they are interested and finally they are sold on it.
A bit exaggerated. Craig hasn’t made the jump: that would imply he’s left something behind. And having written part of one application, it sounds like he’s interested, not sold.
I enjoyed reading his testimony too, but one should keep some perspective.
Okay, granted, my blog entry may be a little over enthusiastic, however, given all the negativity and outright hostility towards Rails from members of the Java community, I think a little enthusiasim can be allowed.
i wish id seen it sooner…im knee deep in a java project, even with the benefits of the spring framework and eclipse automagic its still a lot of hard work (and far too much damn typing).
i went from no ruby installed to a working rails app in about 15 minutes.
i dont understand why anyone would be so precious about having to type so much for what is now, relatively little gain in functionality.
I have to agree, but people are slow to give up the things they have fought for. If you spend ten years learning one thing, putting everything you have into mastering a technology and someone comes along a threatens that way time, that knowledge and that way of life, we all may react in a similar manner.
On the other hand, people can change. I think David Geary is the best example of this. He is someone who adamently opposed Rails when it first came out. Now, he is writing a book about it.