Debate on Ruby's Relevance in Modern Programming

A debate has emerged regarding the relevance of Ruby as a programming language, sparked by an article from WIRED by California-based writer Sheon Han. Han argues that Ruby is not a serious programming language, claiming that the programming world has moved on, with other languages now performing Ruby's functions more effectively.

He cites Stack Overflow's annual developer survey, noting that Ruby has dropped from a top-ten technology in 2013 to the 18th position this year, even trailing behind Assembly. Han describes Ruby as a 'kind of professional comfort object,' sustained by legacy code bases and the loyalty of early adopters.

The WIRED article's subheading suggests that Ruby 'survives on affection, not utility,' prompting readers to question its ongoing viability. The article faced backlash on X.com, with some commenters suggesting that similar critiques could be directed at other tools, such as the text editor Vim.

Despite the criticisms, supporters of Ruby point to its successful use, such as powering Shopify through significant sales events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which reportedly broke last year's records.

The discussion raises important considerations for developers and businesses when selecting programming languages for new projects, highlighting Ruby's shifting status in the programming landscape.