Could you clarify, what's wrong with the Ruby syntax, exactly? I don't think there's a single programming language I like in terms of the syntax, but I don't see anything really wrong with Ruby. Surely not to the point I wouldn't use otherwise nice language because of it. Is python a no-no as well?
- Implicit method calls (`f` vs `self.f`). I know both have different behavior, I just don't like this "implicit self".
... etc.
I find Python okay-ish though, as paradoxical and nonsensical as that might sound. But in my toolchain Python has been reduced to little more than a calculator, since it's been replaced by Go for most of my automation needs.
Btw, friendly reminder that this is my subjective opinion regarding my own tastes, not absolute truth on aesthetics.
I rarely find myself using if/else statements and I definitely avoid 'unless'.
One of the 'Rubyisms' I really disliked was the optional parentheses for method calls. While these are still optional for good reason, in practice this is no longer the case. The formatter will add parentheses and IIRC the compiler will give you a stern lecture too.
Obviously taste is subjective, but I do agree it matters.
I'd say if the Ruby-like syntax is what keeps you from trying Elixir, remember that's it's only skin deep and at least for me, the bad stuff is not really there compared to Ruby.
Furthermore, the advantages of having a functional and 'lispy'/homoiconic language that doesn't look like my bathroom floor after clipping my toenails is worth any remaining 'niggles' like the begin/end thing, or optional [] in the last parameter of a function call, etc. (which just like the optional parentheses is there for a very good reason).
