From: Richard Conroy <richard.conroy@...>
Date: 2009-08-13T03:42:31+09:00
Subject: Re: Use Ruby to create Win executable?

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>
>
> I was suggested using VBScript to create a HTA application, because it's
> easy to program and easy to run, but I wanted to give Ruby a chance
> first. Java would be okay too but it take me much longer to learn.


Ruby would be more interesting too ... ;-P


> 1. I think it's entirely possible to create a GUI with Ruby (either with
> Ruby itself or with Shoes). Is this right? (I'm more familiar with
> writing Perl scripts that I execute on the command-line, I have no
> experience with writing GUI).


If you have no UI experience, Shoes is awesome. Simple and to the point.
All of the other Ruby native UI options do have a non-trivial learning
curve.


> 2. I think it's possible to convert the final program to a executable
> file that I can distribute to Windows users for them to run the program
> without the need to install Ruby first. Is this right? How should I do
> that? How well does it work?


The options are limited - via JRuby you cab use Rawr to achieve this. There
is
also the RubyScript2exe option, but I am not sure how maintained this is.

Also, shoes itself provides a windows (and Mac) packaging solution that
works as you describe (downloading necessary binaries on demand).


>
> 3. A subjective, optional question, for whoever feels like answering and
> thinks they're not too biased. How do you think Ruby compares to
> VBScript in terms of both difficulty to learn from scratch and
> usefulness once you learnt? I only know some perl and php.


You are not going to get much subjectivity here from me .... ;-P

Ruby is simply far more versatile than the other options (PHP, VBScript,
can't comment on perl). You learn it for shell scripting purposes, testing,
building software etc. and then
somehow your knowledge is applicable in entirely different domains.

Its a much more interesting leaning experience. The initial learning curve
is not steep,
but it is a huge curve, and you are productive at a very early part of it.

regards,
Richard

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