From: Tim Hunter <TimHunter@...>
Date: 2008-04-27T20:18:41+09:00
Subject: Re: newbie; needs direction

Albert Schlef wrote:
> I'm a very experienced programmer, but I'm new to ruby.
> 
> I've studied the grammar of the language already, I found it easy, and
> I'm now looking for "good source code" that I can just read and learn
> from.
> 
> I already studied ruby-dbi's source code.
> 
> I considered learning AcriveRecord, but maybe I should wait a bit with
> this.
> 
> My question, sort of, is: "What now?"
> 
> I know it's a vague question. I'll ask it differently: "I've studied the
> grammar. OK. And I'm a good programmer, probably. What should be my next
> steps in Ruby? Should I look for a 'beautiful' package, like Rails, and
> study it?"
> 
> I'm somewhat at a loss.

Welcome to Ruby!

Two things. Well, three. No, four:

1. Check out the Ruby Quiz archives at www.rubyquiz.com. Lots of good 
code there.

2. Don't just read Ruby, write Ruby. Studying Ruby is one thing, 
experiencing Ruby something entirely different. But you knew that already.

3. Hang around. This is a great community with lots of great ideas, 
experienced and talented programmers, and hot debates.

4. Interact. Post your code. Ask questions. Answer questions.

Good luck!

-- 
RMagick: http://rmagick.rubyforge.org/
RMagick 2: http://rmagick.rubyforge.org/rmagick2.html