[ruby-core:25591] Re: Minimalist Ruby Install for Windows

> Hi everyone,
> I have been learning Ruby and using it in my day to day work.  I have a
> client that needs a batch processing script developed that I would like to
> write in Ruby.  It would have to run in a Windows environment but I don't
> want to install the standard ClickOnce deployment.  Can anyone tell me or
> point me to a minimal list of core Ruby requirements (libraries, source
> files, etc) that I would need to have on my client's server to allow it to
> execute a basic admin-type script?
>
> Basically, I need access to the File class (to copy files on the file
> system) and the shell execute (`executable`) command to process external
> calls.
>
>
Mike,

You might want to re-evaluate the RubyInstaller project at
http://rubyinstaller.org/ that provides "foundational" MRI-based Ruby
installations for people using Windows systems.  By foundational, I mean
that the 1.9.1 and 1.8.6 installers and 7z http://www.7-zip.org/ archives
are kept lean-and-mean.  Both the installer and the 7z focus on providing
core capabilities (Ruby core + stdlib and documentation) while enabling you
to take advantage of RubyGems to customize your systems as you see fit.

In addition, the project provides other add-on tools that can help you find
you need more after the initial install.  The DevKit is a good example of
providing a build system that enables you to take advantage of many native
C-based extensions that have been problematic for Ruby developers using
Windows.  For example, this page
http://wiki.github.com/oneclick/rubyinstaller/gem-list shows the status of
some of the native extensions with the RubyInstaller distribution.

Also, join us at our Google Group if you have any questions/issues/feedback
http://groups.google.com/group/rubyinstaller

Other links of interest re: RubyInstaller

http://rubyforge.org/frs/?group_id=167 -> straight to the downloads
http://rubyinstaller.org/addons.html
http://wiki.github.com/oneclick/rubyinstaller/tutorials

Jon