Boo vs C# vs Python? [closed]

Question

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?

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

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#.

Answer 3

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)

Answer 4

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.

Answer 5

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