From: Raj Sahae <rajsahae@...>
Date: 2007-04-29T10:31:22+09:00
Subject: Re: Ruby training materials suggestions required

z@xa.net wrote:
> Hello,
> I am trying to learn Ruby, reading the "pickaxe" book v 2.0. It seems
> pretty decent. However, I am looking for something different. Firstly, I
> want something that has assignments in it - something to prove to myself
> that I have grasped the concepts introduced in the preceeding chapter.
>
> The other thing I'd like is a book that is written for a specific
> IDE/editor, instead of irb. I'm used to writing in vi, but I want to get
> away from that 1980s style of programming (part of my whole change of
> attitude which is resulting in my studying Ruby).
>
> I don't have a lot of money, so I can't afford to take a college course.
> But, I would like that college textbook (without the college textbook
> cost).
>
> I'm experienced with C, so I don't need to be completely spoon-fed
> programming. Object-orientation is still a bit new to me, but I can hack
> it ;)
>
>
>   
My personal preference happens to be the Pragmatic Programmers Ruby 
book.  I don't know why I like it so much.  It gives the information in 
a very specific, laid out format, with clear examples.  It doesn't have 
assignments in it, and it gives examples in irb, so it doesn't meet your 
reqs there.  A book I came across that had that structure (besides "Best 
of RubyQuiz"), was "Everyday Scripting with Ruby" by Brian Marick.  It's 
not as comprehensive, but it contains questions/assignments at the end 
of every section, and it's examples are geared towards more realistic, 
applicable problems.

Raj Sahae