E-Book Overview
Ruby is perhaps best known as the engine powering the hugely popular Ruby on Rails web framework. However, it is an extremely powerful and versatile programming language in its own right. It focuses on simplicity and offers a fully object-oriented environment. Beginning Ruby is a thoroughly contemporary guide for every type of reader who wants to learn Ruby, from novice programmers to web developers to Ruby newcomers. It starts by explaining the principles behind object-oriented programming and within a few chapters builds toward creating a genuine Ruby application. The book then explains key Ruby principles, such as classes and objects, projects, modules, and libraries, and other aspects of Ruby such as database access. In addition, Ruby on Rails is covered in depth, and the books appendixes provide essential reference information as well as a primer for experienced programmers. What you’ll learn Understand the basics of Ruby and object-oriented building blocks. Work with Ruby libraries, gems, and documentation. Work with files and databases. Write and deploy Ruby applications. Explore Ruby web frameworks and aspects of network programming with Ruby. Develop desktop and GUI applications with Ruby. Who this book is for Beginning programmers, programmers new to Ruby, and web developers interested in knowing the foundations of the language.
E-Book Content
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK PANTONE 123 CV BOOKS FOR PROFESSIONALS BY PROFESSIONALS ® THE EXPERT’S VOICE ® IN OPEN SOURCE Companion eBook Available Beginning Ruby Ruby Beginning Ruby is the only book you’ll need to take yourself from the point of not knowing Ruby at all to the point of being proficient in the language. You’ll be able to develop your own complete applications that can work online, access databases, process files, and more. Thanks to the popularity of the Ruby on Rails Web application framework, Ruby is rapidly becoming one of the major programming languages of the twenty-first century, and learning Ruby now will give you an enviable advantage over other developers. I’ve written this book in a way that lets you learn easily how to develop modern software and Internet-driven applications using Ruby’s terminology, techniques, and culture. You’ll then be able to discover further resources and tutorials online for the more advanced topics you’ll want to learn once you become a Ruby professional. My own Ruby learning experience is my motivation for writing this book. I wanted to write a book that wouldn’t assume you’re already an object-orientation or dynamic programming expert, and that would cover Ruby’s more oblique areas in a style suitable for beginners and intermediate developers alike. I wrote Beginning Ruby so that someone with no programming experience, through to someone who is reasonably proficient in another programming language, can quickly learn and appreciate the details of Ruby and the culture surrounding it. Most of the topics necessary to become a professional Ruby developer are explained in detail, and the chapters are structured in such a way that more advanced developers can quickly skip sections not relevant to them. From the start my ambition has been to design a book to educate and encourage, rather than to deliver dry facts. This book not only shows you how to program with Ruby, it also teaches you how the Ruby community works, where the best places are to find help, and how to “walk the walk” and “talk the talk.” Beginning Dear Reader, Beginning Ruby From Novice to Professional Peter Cooper Companion eBook An instructional guide to the Ruby programming language. THE APRESS ROADMAP See last page for details on $10 eBook version Rails Solutions: Ruby on Rails Made Easy Practical Ruby Gems Beginning R