Ruby is a subtle language. If you come to it after mastering another language like Perl or Java, it’s easy to write Ruby code that looks a lot like the code you used to write in your previous language. Now, writing code that way won’t take any longer than it would’ve taken in your previous language. But if you decide to become another disciple in the burgeoning Ruby cult, you’ll have a lot to gain by absorbing the various Ruby idioms. You’ll write clearer code in less time, and you’ll write less of it while accomplishing as much as you had before
A recommended read.