Should I Choose Ruby on Rails or Python for My Appointment Scheduling App?

DHH might be a legend, but I wouldn’t go all-in on Ruby on Rails these days—it’s changed a lot. While it was great back in the day, today I’d recommend looking at the TypeScript/React ecosystem or Python for web development. And if you’re considering stacks, don’t forget about options like .NET, Laravel, or Symfony—they're all solid and can get the job done.

Decision paralysis can be a sign that it's time to jump in and start building! If Rails appeals to you, go for it! It's a solid choice that can handle your project's needs effectively. I should mention, though, that finding resources like the 'Rails for Zombies' tutorial has become a bit tricky lately, so just be prepared for that.

In Europe, Python's popularity is on the rise, and the modern Django framework could serve you well since you’re after that 'batteries-included' experience. Django's extensive ecosystem makes it a strong candidate for your project.

Ruby on Rails has helped many people start their careers—it’s super user-friendly and generally works out of the box. While I shifted to using Next.js and PayloadCMS for similar projects, Rails was definitely fast for me in the beginning. If you're already comfortable in Python, Flask is also very beginner-friendly and customizable, but keep an eye on Laravel too, as it offers a similar all-in-one approach with lots of packages for features like payment processing.

If you're thinking about Python, FastAPI combined with a solid frontend (like Tailwind or even Bootstrap) can work well, especially since you have a data science background. But for your project with scheduling and payments, you might want to avoid overcomplicating things. Django could be a fantastic choice here—it has a lot of built-in features (like an admin panel and authentication) that's closer to what Ruby on Rails offers. Plus, integrating with things like Google Calendar for scheduling is pretty straightforward. Rails shines in rapid prototyping, so if speed is your priority, both Rails and Django are strong contenders.