I am wondering if it really matters what technology stack you select in the beginning phase of your startup. Should we spend too much time deciding on a technology stack ? How do you guys decide ? What if I am good with both Python and Ruby ? What about frameworks ? Databases ?
Your tech stack needs to be focused on development efficiency. In a startup, you need to quickly iterate over your releases to validate your idea. The faster you can get what is in your head on a computer screen, the faster you can validate it. Use whatever extensions, gems, etc that work for you to save you time.
Long back; I was in the same boat, deciding between Rails and Django.
From my completely unscientific research on this topic - Its not the framework that matters, its the Language.
Its the age of tools - so keep trying newer things! Play around - node and web2py.
We fall in love when we try new things.
In my case, I loved python more. I took the Django route.
It does take some time to get acquainted with a framework and the community if you are new to web frameworks.
8 to 10 months of steep learning curve inside.
Here is a Quick checklist-
1. Do you like too much Magic? Rails is more magic than django.
2. Ask yourself - Do you love python or ruby as a language more?
Its a team decision and access to developers available near your region.
I believe that, once you get solid grip over the language you will roll out your own and can bring-in changes in the core-framework.
Initially stick with one framework and dig inside!
3. I personally like the Django-python community more than Rails.
Folks with hardcore CS background + Having Linux backgrounds take the python route. YMMV.
4. You love Javascript? or Have a team with more front-end developers?
Its a good idea to first try out JS frameworks - node.js for server-side, Backbone and coffee-script.
Check meteor.js. You may like it.
Finally I would love to hear - on what you're working on.
Your profile doesn't read your email/contact.
Thanks. I updated my profile with contact info. Not much to show yet like I said but I have decided to go with Python as the core language. Rest is all open to experiemnt but i m leaning a lot towards web2py as the framework.
Technical purity and premature optimization do not matter in the beginning. You can always achieve these things at a later stage when you bring on more experts and specialists.
The things that matter are: productivity, mature and stable framework code, and a solid set of libraries to pull for common tasks/integrations. These are the areas where Rails really shines and it's one of the reasons it has become so popular among early stage startups.
Great thanks. I am loving web2py so far as well. I have dabbled in Django as well but not enough to judge. Good to know that web2py is working out well for you. Just a question, how big is your app on web2py. Any scalability/security issues ?
