From: Robert Feldt <feldt@...>
Date: 2003-04-07T15:55:22+09:00
Subject: Re: Ruby as a Database Development language?

On Mon, 7 Apr 2003, Oliver Nelson wrote:

> I would also like to be able to do Windows versions of these apps.
> What GUIs are mature enough?  Do any (Linux or windows) do
> databinding?
>
On GUI's: IMHO, FXRuby is the most mature (especially for Windows since
it gives a windows look&feel) but it has a few quirks and
Ruby-gnome/gtk will probably be a viable contender once it matures some
more.

> What about IDEs, are they there yet, if not, how soon?
>
FreeRIDE has had a pre-release but I haven't used it much so far.
Long-term it will be a killer.

> What about compiliing to an executeable?  Is this just experimental,
> or is it something that works and can be used?
>
Exerb works perfectly for me. Be sure to build your Ruby and extensions
with mingw or VStudio first though so there are no external dependencies.
Also note that Exerb is only windows so far.

> Should I being using Ruby as a scripting language for little stuff or
> as a "glue" tool, or should I write application in it?
>
I've been writing a couple of larger apps in it. The combination of Ruby +
FXRuby + exerb + upx give stand-alone executables in the 1.5-2MB size. Its
large but who cares with todays HD's and memories...

> On COM etc
>
There was some work on using COM's from Ruby but I can't find the link
right now. Maybe someone else can. I guess you can do something via the
win32api if everything else fails.

Regards,

Robert Feldt