From: David MacQuigg <dmq@...>
Date: 2004-02-25T04:14:48+09:00
Subject: Re: Can't use interpreter

On Wed, 25 Feb 2004 00:31:24 +0900, Dick Davies
<rasputnik@hellooperator.net> wrote:

>* David MacQuigg <dmq@gain.com> [0225 15:25]:
> 
>> Anyway, I find it very strange that the "interactive shell" is so well
>> hidden from newbies.  How to install and run this program ought to be
>> clearly stated in the README file and in the tutorial.
>
>Which tutorial? This is a Debian packaging issue, remember.

Part of the problem is Debian specific ( how to find and install a
Debian package ), but a new user could use some clues in the general
introduction.  As a Debian user, I know how to find packages in
Debian, but what I did not know was what package to look for ( irb ).
I'm coming from a Python background, so I just typed "ruby" at the
command line, and did not see a prompt for an interactive interpreter.

The information is probably available somewhere, but the two places
new users will most likely look are an introductory tutorial, and a
README file in the top directory of the distribution.  Take a look at
chapter 2 of the Python tutorial http://python.org/doc/current/tut/

-- Dave