From: Randy Kramer <rhkramer@...>
Date: 2005-03-31T23:47:51+09:00
Subject: Re: Complete beginner in programming

On Thursday 31 March 2005 01:45 am, Mark Hubbart wrote:
> This seems to be a good tutorial, based in Ruby and targeted towards
> new programmers:
> http://pine.fm/LearnToProgram/

+1

It's not a book, but go through it before you spend money on anything else.

I can't help but be wary of the advice to read a Java book if your intent is 
to eventually learn Ruby.   

Try getting a few Ruby books at your local library (mine didn't have any when 
I first asked, they've since bought the Pickaxe book), get them to do an 
interlibrary loan.

IMHO, you have to find books that talk to *your* head, and a book that's good 
for somebody else may be very hard for you to deal with.

Nevertheless, I'm buying Ruby in a Nutshell after having borrowed it.  It's 
more the quick reference than a tutorial, but in Python, a very similar book 
worked for me (even though I dropped Python and am going on to Ruby).

Then checkout:

   * Teach Yourself Ruby in 21 Days
   * The Pickaxe Book (forget the real name, by Dave Thomas, Programming in 
Ruby, iirc)
   * The Ruby Way

and see if one or more of them talks to your head

Randy Kramer


> ... and you don't have to buy it :)