From: Natevw <natevw@...>
Date: 2006-05-16T11:22:48+09:00
Subject: Re: learn to program

corey konrad wrote:
> oh ok he is just talking about variable scope it was kind of hard to 
> tell from his example for some resaon, i dont know i think i am going to 
> skip this learn to program book, this chris guy really doesnt know how 
> to explain things to a person with a beginner mind set. 

 From what I've seen so far, I think you could find better.


> i also am having 
> problems running his code examples i really dont  understand how the 
> code below works but when i copy and paste it into the live ruby program 
> all it does is close the live ruby program and shuts it down.
> 
> def ask question
> good_answer = false
> while (not good_answer)
> puts question
> reply = gets.chomp.downcase
> if (reply == ' yes' or reply == ' no' )
> good_answer = true
> if reply == ' yes'
> answer = true
> else
> answer = false
> end
> else
> puts ' Please answer "yes" or "no".'
> end
> end
> answer # This is what we return (true or false).
> end
> 

This pastes fine into my version of 'irb'.
You seem to have a couple of extra spaces, but that shouldn't close the 
program.

Does the author really not indent his examples? If so that's another 
reason to find a better book.

Here it is indented, that might help you understand it.

def ask question
  good_answer = false
  while (not good_answer)
   puts question
   reply = gets.chomp.downcase
   if (reply == 'yes' or reply == 'no' )
    good_answer = true
    if reply == 'yes'
	answer = true
    else
	answer = false
    end
    else
     puts ' Please answer "yes" or "no".'
   end
  end
  answer # This is what we return (true or false).
end
answer = ask "Is this working?"


(keep scope in mind for the last 'answer')


It seems that your beginner guide is a bit too "friendly" and keeps you 
from important details that you'll need to learn soon anyway.

Have you looked at the "Programming Ruby" book? I had plenty of 
programming experience before going to it, so YMMV, but it at least 
keeps things concise. Try the 1st edition on for size here: 
http://www.rubycentral.com/book/intro.html

I'd recommend looking for a book that's understandable, but doesn't 
fudge the details. Otherwise, my method of choice is to learn a bit, 
then try writing things on my own, which always forms questions, which 
leads to more searching/reading/learning.

-natevw