Ruby by Example: Concepts and Code

Ruby by Example: Concepts and Code

Publisher: No Starch Press
Number Of Pages: 326
Publication Date: 2007-06-08
Sales Rank: 212431
ISBN / ASIN: 1593271484
EAN: 9781593271480
Binding: Paperback
Manufacturer: No Starch Press
Studio: No Starch Press
Average Rating: 5

There may be no better way to learn how to program than by dissecting real, representative examples written in your language of choice. Ruby by Example analyzes a series of Ruby scripts, examining how the code works, explaining the concepts it illustrates, and showing how to modify it to suit your needs. Baird's examples demonstrate key features of the language (such as inheritance, encapsulation, higher-order functions, and recursion), while simultaneously solving difficult problems (such as validating XML, creating a bilingual program, and creating command-line interfaces). Each chapter builds upon the previous, and each key concept is highlighted in the margin to make it easier for you to navigate the book.

You'll learn how to:

Use the interactive Ruby shell (irb) to learn key features of the language
Extend Ruby using RubyGems, the Ruby package manager
Create numerical utilities, as well as utilities that process and analyze HTML/XML
Implement purely functional and metaprogramming techniques to save time and effort
Optimize, profile, and test your code to make sure that it not only does its job, but does it well
Create web applications using Rails

Ruby is the fastest growing programming language today, and for good reason: Its elegant syntax and readable code make for prolific and happy programmers. But it can be difficult to understand and implement without a little help. Ruby by Example shows you how to take advantage of Ruby as you explore Ruby's fundamental concepts in action.

Review:

Ruby Language Immersion by Examples

"Ruby by Example, Concepts and Code" teaches the Ruby language through immersion in examples.

The book begins with a brief introduction to Ruby and the interactive Ruby shell (which allows typing in Ruby code and immediately seeing the results).

The 45 examples that follow are carefully crafted to introduce new language features. A typical example includes these sections:

* The Code
* How It Works
* Running the Script
* The Results
* Hacking the Script

The reader is tempted to open up the examples in an editor, run them and tinker with them.

There is a focus on programming paradigms (or styles). The three main types covered are: imperative, object-oriented and functional. The imperative style "tells computers: Do this, then do that, then do this next thing." "Object-oriented languages define objects (types of things) that know how to perform methods." "Functional languages treat programming problems like mathematical relationships" and allow handling of functions and blocks of codes as if they were objects themselves. Ruby has strengths in all three of these areas, but this book offers more coverage of the functional paradigm than you might see elsewhere.

The examples advance in scope and complexity and cover practical topics like HTML and XML handling, CGI programming (which is a simple technique to make programmable web pages) and finally a sample Ruby on Rails web application.

An appendix compares and contrasts Ruby to several other languages (C, Haskell, Java, Lisp, Perl, PHP, Python and Smalltalk). For each language, the author gives some history, the particular focus or strengths of that language, and how Ruby was inspired by or shares some of the best features of each.

Baird sees Ruby's greatest strengths as "readability, a high level of abstraction (and great ease in extending that abstraction even higher), internal consistency and conceptual elegance."

The book is designed to be accessible to a beginning programmer, but would be challenging (in a good way).

Programmers with experience in another language or with some Ruby experience would strongly benefit from reading "Ruby by Example", even if they have read another tutorial book or started working with Rails applications.

Review:

An important guide for any using or learning Ruby or Rails

Any programmer who would better understand the basics of Ruby would do well to consider RUBY BY EXAMPLE, a learn-by-doing guide which analyzes a series of Ruby scripts, examining how the code works, explaining its concepts, and demonstrating modifications. Readers will learn how to use the interactive Ruby shell to maximum advantage to learn the language, and will learn to use utilities that help analyze HTML, XML and more. An important guide for any using or learning Ruby or Rails, and for reference libraries catering to this audience.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Review:

Good Introduction to Ruby

I found this book to be a very refreshing approach to learning a programming language. The author did a great job of breaking down real world samples. He keeps it concise and to the point and that makes it much easier to learn. Not only does he use real world examples, he also explains many 'typical' programming utilities such as arrays, text manipulation, filtering, and even covers CSS and XML.

I think what I like best about the book is the layout of the information. Each lesson is laid out with the problem - the code - the explanation of how it works. The code is very clear, and the conventions used to distinguish different kinds of information are very clear. The code has several numbered items that are used in the explanation so you can follow the explanation line by line. And the author also tweaks the code in 'hack' sections of the book so you can learn to customize utilities quickly.

I would recommend this book for anyone who has an interest in learning Ruby quickly and thoroughly. You get hands on experience and real world examples that you can apply right away. If you want to learn Ruby and some basic concepts of OOP, get this book.Ruby by Example: Concepts and Code

Review:

The Perfect Way to Learn Ruby...

This book has really helped me dive-in, start using, and more importantly start understanding Ruby. About a year before this book came out I read the Ruby Pick Axe but didn't feel like I had a great understanding and command of the language (I was also new to object oriented languages). I needed real life examples and actual code that illustrated Ruby concepts and showed them in action. That's exactly what I got with this book.

I think this book would be an excellent choice for someone wanting to learn Ruby, regardless of your level of programming experience. I'm self-taught with entry level programming skills and I had no problem understanding the concepts and examples in this book. The book even explains the basics like variables, objects, and methods and doesn't assume you know anything about object oriented languages, programming, or Ruby. The example scripts are pretty neat and very useful too. I've already started customizing my own version of the sample Rails photo album for my wedding pictures too. (Thanks Kevin!)

Whether you're looking to learn how to program or looking to learn a new language, I would highly recommend this book! I plan on keeping it in my programming book collection!

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