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Ruby in a Nutshell .. worth it?

EB

10/24/2006 11:53:00 AM

Hi,

I know this is somewhat out-dated, but is it worth getting?

I have Programming Ruby, and the Ruby Cookbook, but they all
require some digging through to find info quickly.

Isn't a new version of Ruby around the corner? Should I wait
on the Nutshell book? It seems the Nutshell book would be a
good way to browse what functions/classes are available.

Comments/suggestions?

Thanks,
eb
16 Answers

Emiel van de Laar

10/24/2006 12:31:00 PM

0

* EB (ebonakDUH_@hotmail.com) wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I know this is somewhat out-dated, but is it worth getting?

This was the book that got me hooked on Ruby. It's a really
good book in my opinion, but like you said it is dated. It
covers Ruby 1.6. We are now at 1.8.5.

I'd love it if this book got an update as well. :)

> I have Programming Ruby, and the Ruby Cookbook, but they all
> require some digging through to find info quickly.

I have the PDF version of Programming Ruby (2nd edition). When
I'm looking for something I just search it. Perhaps that
is an option...

> Isn't a new version of Ruby around the corner? Should I wait
> on the Nutshell book? It seems the Nutshell book would be a
> good way to browse what functions/classes are available.
>
> Comments/suggestions?

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Emiel

EB

10/24/2006 12:44:00 PM

0

Hallo Emiel,

Emiel van de Laar wrote:
> * EB (ebonakDUH_@hotmail.com) wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> I know this is somewhat out-dated, but is it worth getting?
>
> This was the book that got me hooked on Ruby. It's a really
> good book in my opinion, but like you said it is dated. It
> covers Ruby 1.6. We are now at 1.8.5.

Are those significant changes? How soon is the next version
(1.9 or 2.0?) expected? Again, I'm very new to Ruby,
though not programming.

I am/was a big fan of Python, esp due to its clear
layout requirements (a god-sent for those of us who have
to read other people's code), but Ruby is my current favorite :-)

> I'd love it if this book got an update as well. :)
>
>> I have Programming Ruby, and the Ruby Cookbook, but they all
>> require some digging through to find info quickly.
>
> I have the PDF version of Programming Ruby (2nd edition). When
> I'm looking for something I just search it. Perhaps that
> is an option...

Yes, that's true, but it would tie me to the computer, and I
would like some time away every once in a while. I think the
tiny size - though not tiny price! :-( of the nutshell book would
make it a good "carry-along and browse when time" reference to
get a lay of the land.

Thanks for the post,
Esmail

Peter Szinek

10/24/2006 12:47:00 PM

0

EB wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I know this is somewhat out-dated, but is it worth getting?

I came accross Ruby a few months ago when this book was already outdated
so I did not read it - however I guess I was in the same shoes as you
are now (judging from the symptoms you described).

The best cure I found is called "Ruby for Rails" from David A. Black.
It's one of the best tech books I ever came across. Definitely check it out.

--
Peter
http://www.rubyra...

EB

10/24/2006 12:50:00 PM

0

Peter Szinek wrote:
> EB wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> I know this is somewhat out-dated, but is it worth getting?
>
> I came accross Ruby a few months ago when this book was already outdated
> so I did not read it - however I guess I was in the same shoes as you
> are now (judging from the symptoms you described).

he he .. nice way of putting it ;-)

> The best cure I found is called "Ruby for Rails" from David A. Black.
> It's one of the best tech books I ever came across. Definitely check it
> out.

I will .. thanks!

eb

Peter Szinek

10/24/2006 12:58:00 PM

0

> Are those significant changes?
Definitely. Absolutely. Doubtlessly.

Again, I'm very new to Ruby,
> though not programming.
One more common point.

> I am/was a big fan of Python, esp due to its clear
> layout requirements (a god-sent for those of us who have
> to read other people's code), but Ruby is my current favorite :-)
And yet another. I have been a Python fan for a few years, too ( until
the very moment I opened the Picaxe for the first time and read the
first few pages :-)

I am even more sure you need to grab R4R...

Cheers,

__
Peter
http://wwww.rubyra...

Emiel van de Laar

10/24/2006 12:59:00 PM

0

* EB (ebonakDUH_@hotmail.com) wrote:
> Hallo Emiel,
>
> Emiel van de Laar wrote:
> >* EB (ebonakDUH_@hotmail.com) wrote:
> >>Hi,
> >>
> >>I know this is somewhat out-dated, but is it worth getting?
> >
> >This was the book that got me hooked on Ruby. It's a really
> >good book in my opinion, but like you said it is dated. It
> >covers Ruby 1.6. We are now at 1.8.5.
>
> Are those significant changes? How soon is the next version
> (1.9 or 2.0?) expected? Again, I'm very new to Ruby,
> though not programming.

It would give you a feel for the Ruby language but would
probably be a bad investment. The changes are significant
enough to go directly to 1.8.x.


> I am/was a big fan of Python, esp due to its clear
> layout requirements (a god-sent for those of us who have
> to read other people's code), but Ruby is my current favorite :-)
>
> >I'd love it if this book got an update as well. :)
> >
> >>I have Programming Ruby, and the Ruby Cookbook, but they all
> >>require some digging through to find info quickly.
> >
> >I have the PDF version of Programming Ruby (2nd edition). When
> >I'm looking for something I just search it. Perhaps that
> >is an option...
>
> Yes, that's true, but it would tie me to the computer, and I
> would like some time away every once in a while. I think the
> tiny size - though not tiny price! :-( of the nutshell book would
> make it a good "carry-along and browse when time" reference to
> get a lay of the land.

The size is very attractive. I carried the Nutshell book in
my backpack for a long time. However, I can't recommend it
anymore because it is outdated.

Have a look here.

http://www.ruby-doc.org...

Perhaps you can find a small format book...

As Peter suggested...
I have heard positive things about David A. Black's book.
I'm going to buy the book someday just because David is
such a good writer.

Regards,

Emiel

Mathieu Chappuis

10/24/2006 1:54:00 PM

0

> I know this is somewhat out-dated, but is it worth getting?

I use it everyday. 200 pages is compact. And French Oreilly book have
a great binding, robustness.

But it's true a new edition would be a good thing. Especially for
standard library.

Matz ??

EB

10/24/2006 8:08:00 PM

0

Thanks everyone!

eb

Cameron Adamez

10/24/2006 8:22:00 PM

0


>> I am/was a big fan of Python, esp due to its clear
>> layout requirements (a god-sent for those of us who have
>> to read other people's code), but Ruby is my current favorite :-)
> And yet another. I have been a Python fan for a few years, too ( until
> the very moment I opened the Picaxe for the first time and read the
> first few pages :-)

I couldn't understand the Pickaxe book. It was divided into weird sections
and I had to read the book backwards to get Ruby. Even then it didn't make
sense. It made no sense until I read a tutorial from a professor. Maybe
I'm a-pythonic...

Cameron

Ezra Zygmuntowicz

10/24/2006 11:18:00 PM

0


On Oct 24, 2006, at 4:55 AM, EB wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I know this is somewhat out-dated, but is it worth getting?
>
> I have Programming Ruby, and the Ruby Cookbook, but they all
> require some digging through to find info quickly.
>
> Isn't a new version of Ruby around the corner? Should I wait
> on the Nutshell book? It seems the Nutshell book would be a
> good way to browse what functions/classes are available.
>
> Comments/suggestions?
>
> Thanks,
> eb
>

Hal Fulton's new book "The Ruby Way" #2 is absolutely excellent. I
got lucky and got a copy of it at rubyconf and from my reading so far
it is a must have book for any ruby programmer.

Cheers-
-- Ezra Zygmuntowicz
-- Lead Rails Evangelist
-- ez@engineyard.com
-- Engine Yard, Serious Rails Hosting
-- (866) 518-YARD (9273)