Introduction to Ruby and Setup

Ruby is a powerful, easy-to-learn programming language that was created by Yukihiro Matsumoto in 1993. Known for its clean syntax and object-oriented principles, Ruby is widely used for building websites, web applications, and scripts. One of the most popular frameworks built with Ruby is Ruby on Rails, which makes it easier to create complex applications with fewer lines of code.

In this course, you'll learn how to:

• Install Ruby on your system and set up your development environment.
• Understand basic Ruby syntax and features.
• Write your first Ruby script and run it from the command line.
• Work with Ruby's interactive shell (IRB).

Let's begin the journey of learning Ruby and exploring how it can help you build amazing applications!

Main Concepts in Ruby

1. Ruby Installation and Setup:

   • Install Ruby using package managers like rvm or rbenv.
   • Set up an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) such as VS Code or RubyMine.

   # Install Ruby using rvm
   rvm install ruby
   

2. Ruby Interactive Shell (IRB):

   • Use IRB to experiment with Ruby code in real-time.

   irb
   # Now you can enter Ruby commands and get immediate results!
   

3. Writing and Running Ruby Scripts:

   • Create a simple Ruby script using .rb extension.

   puts 'Hello, Ruby!'
   

   • Run Ruby scripts from the command line:

   ruby hello.rb
   

4. Ruby Syntax and Keywords:

   • Ruby uses basic syntax such as puts, gets, and variable assignments.

   name = 'Alice'
   puts 'Hello, ' + name
   

5. Ruby Comments:

   • Use comments to explain your code.

   # This is a single-line comment
   

   • Multi-line comments are enclosed by =begin and =end.

   =begin
   This is a multi-line comment
   =end
   

Practical Applications of Ruby Setup

Task: Install Ruby on Your System

1. Use rvm or rbenv to install Ruby.

   rvm install ruby
   

Task: Write Your First Ruby Script

1. Create a Ruby script hello.rb that prints a greeting to the console.

   puts 'Hello, Ruby!'
   

Task: Experiment with IRB

1. Open the Ruby Interactive Shell (IRB) and try running a few simple Ruby expressions:

   irb
   2 + 3
   'Ruby'.reverse
   

Task: Work with Ruby Variables

1. Create variables in Ruby and print their values:

   name = 'Bob'
   age = 30
   puts name
   puts age
   

Advanced Insights into Ruby and Setup

1. Using Version Managers (RVM and rbenv):

   • RVM and rbenv help manage multiple Ruby versions on your system. This allows you to switch between different Ruby versions for different projects.

   rvm use 2.7.0
   

2. Configuring Ruby with Your IDE:

   • RubyMine, VS Code, or Sublime Text can be configured to support Ruby development. These editors help with syntax highlighting, debugging, and running scripts directly.

3. Exploring Gems and Libraries:

   • Ruby gems are libraries that extend Ruby's capabilities. Install gems like rails or sinatra for web development.

   gem install rails
   

4. Setting up a Local Web Development Environment:

   • For web development, Ruby on Rails is a powerful framework. Install it using the command:

   gem install rails
   

Additional Resources for Ruby Setup and Introduction

• Ruby Official Website: Ruby Lang
• Ruby Documentation: Ruby Docs
• Rails Getting Started Guide: Rails Guides

These resources will help deepen your understanding of Ruby and provide you with the tools to start building powerful applications.