Hurd Newbie Question: Is Debian GNU/Hurd stable enough for programming in C, C++, Ruby on Rails, or Python?

Hello!



Today is November 2nd, 2011.  I am writing this post to ask a question from
a newbie’s perspective with regard to the Hurd.   First, I will ask my
question, then I will let you know what I’ve tried already.  I am trying to
find out if Debian GNU/Hurd is stable enough to use as a programming
platform and learning tool in these four languages, C, C++, Ruby on Rails,
and Python.  Additionally, I am trying to find out if Debian GNU/Hurd is
stable enough to use with the R-statistical package, gnuplot, emacs, and
TeX and its variants.  I am entirely comfortable working in a *NIX
environment in command-line mode only, ie, no windowing system installed,
but am accustomed to working in GUI-based environments (Windows and OS X)
and would prefer to work from a command-line terminal within a GUI.



First of all, I am aware from information on the Debian GNU/Hurd website
that Debian GNU/Hurd is not stable and not appropriate for someone who is
an end-user and who needs a stable system like Microsoft Windows or Mac OS
X or Debian GNU/Linux.  Also, I know that some people are already using
GNU/Hurd daily for simple tasks like email, light surfing, ftp, and other
‘simple’ things, and that Xwindows is glitchy and sometimes hangs
completely.



I am trying to find out if Debian GNU/Hurd is stable enough for the
purposes I mentioned in the first paragraph.  I have already spent a lot of
time searching for this information, but most answers I find are outdated.
I've done a cursory search of the help-hurd mailing list archive.  I have
Googled all of the obvious combinations of Debian, GNU, GNU Hurd, and Hurd,
paired with Python, Ruby, and Ruby on rails.  I understand that Python,
Ruby, and Ruby on Rails are all compatible with POSIX based environments.
I also understand how to follow instructions to compile from source.  Do
these languages compile from source and function as expected in Debian
GNU/Hurd?  Does GCC compile from source and function as expected?  Finally,
I would ask the same question about the three software packages I
mentioned.  As a practical matter, will they compile and function as
expected in the current form of Debian GNU/Hurd?



Any help, information, or links to appropriate reading material that you
can provide is most appreciated.



Thank you,



Mark