From: Mat Schaffer <schapht@...>
Date: 2006-08-04T05:10:19+09:00
Subject: Re: I’m having a hard time learning ruby.


On Aug 3, 2006, at 2:05 PM, Nate Imaqaguy wrote:
> For starters, just do you know where I�m coming from: I have little to
> no programming experience, except for some C and VB classes I took 6
> years ago, which I did fine in.
>
> My biggest hurdle getting started with ruby is finding which
> methods/classes/files to call upon for whatever the heck I�m trying to
> accomplish.
>
> I�m use to being able to perform a search, like in MSDN Library, using
> key words of something I�m trying to perform.  Then research results
> from there, and get pointed in the right direction (with  
> explanations on
> what the feature does, and examples, etc).
>
> The editors also helped with showing the available methods, as I wrote
> the code.
>
> So, with ruby, I�m using the SciTE editor (on WinXP), which doesn�t  
> give
> method options as you go.  Yeah, I know they are kinda like training
> wheels, but they help when you�re starting out.
>
> And I can�t really find any close equivalent to using something  
> like an
> MSDN Library.  The best thing someone has pointed me to so far is
> http://www.ruby-doc.org/.  Which is cool and all, but it�s not really
> �searchable��you kind of have to know what file/class/method to  
> look up
> in the first place.  And even if I find what I think I�m looking for,
> the documentation is confusing to me.  Sometimes there isn�t the
> slightest word as to what something does.
>
> Someone told me about �.methods�, but that only works if you�re in an
> irb session, which I find painful to use because I have to type all my
> code in, line by line.  I can�t even figure out how to paste each line
> of the code I already have.  Inevitably I fat finger something and get
> mad.
>
> So, you can kinda see a n00bs frustration�.
>
> I must be missing something big.  Any tips (other than �try not to  
> suck
> so much�)?
>
> = )

I share your frustration.  I have yet to find any really nice,  
interactive ruby documentation.  I think part of the problem is that  
the core of the language isn't even fully documented.  But ruby- 
doc.org is doing a lot of work to fix this problem.

Contrary to a lot of people on this list, I don't recommend Pickaxe  
for introduction.  It is awesome reference, but I found it really dry  
as an introductory text.  If you have a good sense of humor and some  
patience, I'd recommend The Poignant Guide http://poignantguide.net/ 
ruby/.

Then to get some early practice with the ideas, I'd recommend  
rubyquiz.com.  There's a lot of nice little exercises there with lots  
of source code and analysis for each problem.  (Note: download all  
the solutions, as some of the older individual solutions reference  
mailing list archives that are no longer available).

Finally, when you're stuck, ask a question here.  It's one of the  
nicest programming lists I've ever been on.
-Mat