From: Jeremy Bopp <jeremy@...>
Date: 2011-02-11T15:11:33+09:00
Subject: Re: Totally lost in learning Ruby

On 02/10/2011 07:41 PM, Hilary Bailey wrote:
> Therefore, is it possible to use available OpenSource softwares to piece 
> together a web application/software? I know that I have to acquaint 
> myself with Base and the others, but should I design around the SQLs or 
> Base? Also, just in case anyone reading along or would like to provide 
> their expertise, I am not afraid of "getting my hands dirty" while 
> learning. So I prefer going the properly logically sensible way, without 
> having to reinvent the wheel.So please, I will greatly appreciate ANY 
> AND MANY more comments as they have certainly help clarify a lot of 
> questions regarding programming.

Hi, Hilary,

As you're sure to have gathered by now, doing what you want to do takes
quite a bit of knowledge and experience, especially if you want to do it
all yourself.  Even stating the problem you want to solve with your
software isn't easy once you try to go beyond the high level and delve
into the details.

Would you feel comfortable building a new wing for your local elementary
school all by yourself based only on the discussions you have with
employees at a nearby hardware store or construction site?  Even if the
materials and tools are free, your time is not, and you probably
wouldn't have the greatest faith in the quality of what you built as
your first project anyway.

Given your apparent inexperience in this field, you should probably
consider doing one or more of the following before going much further:

* Take some computer programming classes from your local community
college or continuing education institutions.
* Perform simple, proof-of-concept tasks using the tools you have
discussed so far.
* Request quotes from a few contracting or consulting firms to write
your software directly.

The goal is for you to have: 1) a foundation upon which to build your
skills, 2) some experience using the necessary tools, and 3) an idea of
what it costs in time and money to perform this work professionally.

You may find that you don't like this level of software development in
the end.  It's not for everyone.  As an analogy, I don't mind fixing my
fence when part of it breaks, but I'll either hire someone else to build
a new fence from scratch or learn to do without one. ;-)

Good luck and happy learning!

-Jeremy