Boo vs C# vs Python? [closed]

Asked 6/10, 2009 at 9:47 Answered 6/10, 2009 at 13:12

Solved c#python programming-languages boo

Compared to C#, Boo feels a bit more Pythonic but it's also compiled down to .NET MSIL. I liked its syntax, even more than C#'s syntax. But I couldn't find a single book teaching Boo.

And I really don't know, if learning Boo is better than C# or learning C# is better than Boo. I just want to use some Python-like data types. Those are:

{key1:value1, key2:value2} → dictionary
[Value1,Value2,Value3] → List (can be edited/changed)
(Value1,Value2,Value3) → Tuple (can't be edited/changed)

I use dictionaries more than list and tuples. I want to know, which one is better?

Legality answered 6/10, 2009 at 9:47 Comment(5)

The only book I've seen on Boo is manning.com/rahien – Chloroprene 6/10, 2009 at 10:4

Possible duplicate? - #890920 – Chloroprene 6/10, 2009 at 10:6

Pointers!? In a modern language claiming to be inspired by Python!? (Subjective) Fail. – Trevor 6/10, 2009 at 10:11

@RussCam: thanks for the link - I'm quite fond of Boo, but finding docs is difficult. – Tavy 6/10, 2009 at 13:4

Aaaand the question is: About the list/tuples? About GUI? about Boo/C#/Python? About Boo books? What? – Stylish 6/10, 2009 at 15:50

I have found Boo to be very useful in creating simple one-off scripts, while retaining my Pythonic source style. And since it compiles to runnable EXE or DLL, I can package up a single EXE with all the needed DLLs (including Boo.Lang.dll) using ILMerge, and then send that off to a client, usually for some kind of quick troubleshooting or system diagnosis.

I also use Boo to support my C# development. I often fire up a Boo interpreter to try out variations of string or date formatting, then I can replicate the final version almost directly into C#.

But it is darned difficult to find docs for Boo. I had to Google quite a bit to find the syntax for generics, since they are a relatively new addition to Boo, and not yet mentioned in any tutorials, or even reference pages. And googling for "boo" generates quite a few unwanted hits, making the search even more difficult.

So in short, don't make this a choice between Boo and C# - they actually complement each other pretty well.

Tavy answered 6/10, 2009 at 13:12 Comment(1)

Try CSharpRepl/Gsharp: mono-project.com/CsharpRepl – Syncretism 6/10, 2009 at 14:31

My general opinion is that it would be better to go for C# since it is from my point of view, easier to find resources, documentation and tutorials for C#.

Pavel answered 6/10, 2009 at 9:52 Comment(1)

Nothing wrong with VB.NET either. Technically, that is. People who dislike it usually just don't like the smell of it, they don't actually understand VB.NET. The only truthful complaint I've seen against it is that its syntax is rather verbose, but to me that's a strong point. By now, many VB.NET features have been added to C# (and vice versa), the languages differ in little except the surface syntax. – Imprint 6/10, 2009 at 11:6

Knowing C# will be very useful to you if you want a career in .NET development. But learning Boo would allow you to use the Python-like features you are after in a .NET environment. You should probably also look into IronPython, which does have books available (Iron Python in Action)

Signora answered 6/10, 2009 at 9:51 Comment(0)

You have lists and dictionaries in .Net: System.Collections.Generic.List and System.collections.Generic.Dictionary.

As for the language: Just learn the one that is more fun for you. The choice of language is most often religious. Expecially on the .Net platform, where each language has almost the same capabilities.

Bisset answered 6/10, 2009 at 9:51 Comment(10)

"where each language has almost the same capabilities" that only applies to C# vs VB – Upturn 6/10, 2009 at 13:29

You think so? I don't...I can, for example, do almost everything I can do in C# do in C++/CLI. And I'm sure that I can do almost anything I can do in Boo in C# too somehow. The only different thing would be dynamically typed languages like IronPython, and that will change too in C# 4. – Bisset 6/10, 2009 at 14:1

try creating a boo-like DSL in C# (even 4.0) or C++. See blogs.codehaus.org/people/bamboo/archives/… – Upturn 6/10, 2009 at 17:22

try writing an extension for C# (even 4.0) or C++ to add pattern matching to the language. see blogs.codehaus.org/people/bamboo/archives/… – Upturn 6/10, 2009 at 17:24

try doing pattern matching in C# (even 4.0) or C++ or IronPython like you can in Boo or F# – Upturn 6/10, 2009 at 17:26

Try redefining if in C# or C++ ayende.com/Blog/archive/2007/10/04/Redefining-If.aspx – Upturn 6/10, 2009 at 17:29

more examples: https://mcmap.net/q/515286/-boo-vs-ironpython/… – Upturn 6/10, 2009 at 17:31

try doing string interpolation in C# or C++, like you can on Boo or Nemerle. – Upturn 6/10, 2009 at 17:34

Yes, this are sure nice features (I love Nemerle, btw.), but it's nothing that you ultimately NEED. In the end, you can be productive to the same extent in almost any .NET language. Of course, it depends on what you want to code, but as I said: take the one that's most fun for you. I think the language which is the most fun will be the one which is the most practical for the things I want to code. – Bisset 6/10, 2009 at 18:2

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on this one :-) – Upturn 6/10, 2009 at 19:2

I'm not sure what your end goal is, but before you give up on python please do check out the python/Qt combo for building a gui. You can build complex cross-platform guis and it's fairly easy to pick up. Qt, Python Bindings

Quinn answered 6/10, 2009 at 10:56 Comment(1)

I already know (and tried) PyQt, wxPython, Boa Constructor, IronPython Studio and others, but tnx for advice (I'm not a Python n00b :S). – Legality 6/10, 2009 at 13:26

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