From: Walton Hoops <walton@...>
Date: 2010-05-03T13:34:54+09:00
Subject: Re: Main working window for Ruby is DOS?

On 5/2/2010 10:05 PM, Kaye Ng wrote:
> I know nothing about programming and am not a techy person, so please
> excuse the terms I'm using.
>
> I just downloaded Ruby.  I expected an environment like Visual BASIC
> where there's a tool bar on the left side and you can just click a
> textbox, label, or a command button and it would appear on a Form.
> Isn't Ruby like that?
>
> Is it just a DOS window and nothing else?  I know it's a stupid
> question, sorry.  But like I said, I know nothing.
>
> Thanks guys.
>   

Not a stupid question at all, just a newbie question (which is what this
list is for).

Actually, what you describe is NOT Visual BASIC (VB), but actually
Visual Studio (VS), which Microsoft bundles with VB.  VB is the
programming language, i.e. the code you write.  VS is the pretty
Integrated Development Environment (IDE) which tries to facilitate
writing that code.  When you create a new Windows project, VS writes the
code to create an application window for you.  When you drop a button
onto the form in VS, VS writes the code to add a button to said window. 
Make sense? All of this could be accomplished in notepad, the difference
being you'd have to write your own code.

While there are several IDEs out there for Ruby, I don't know of any
that contains a Form Editor like VS does.  That said, believe it or not,
once you get good at interface design, you'll rarely if ever miss it. 
Also, while those pretty GUI (Graphical User Interface) programs seem
cool, and are probably what you're shooting for being able to create in
the long run, I wouldn't suggest it for a newbie programmer.

What I would recommend is picking up a book on the subject.  While I
have never read it, I have heard good things about Chris Pine's "Learn
to Program":
http://www.pragprog.com/titles/ltp2/learn-to-program-2nd-edition (also
available off Amazon).

For free online tutorials, there is one on Rubylearning.com:
http://rubylearning.com/satishtalim/tutorial.html

Or Why's Poignant Guide to Ruby (The first Ruby book I ever read):
http://mislav.uniqpath.com/poignant-guide/

A note about the Poignant Guide: it is not like most programming books. 
In fact it is downright strange.  While I am a huge fan, it may not be
for everyone.

Hopefully that's enough to send you off in the right direction. If you
have anymore questions, don't hesitate to ask!