Hi list 
Apart from good old Google based research and trawling mailing archives, which Ruby books can you recommend.
If I were to buy 1 or 2 which would it be?
MTIA
Jason Lane
Developer
Root10 developments
I just recently picked up Ruby, primarily from books, so I'll tell you what I used. Your milage may vary, of course...
I read "Programming Ruby" first. I felt it was a very good book... for programmers who are already familiar with one or more languages. A scripting language background (Perl, Python, etc.) is even more handy. I'm not saying a rank beginner couldn't learn from it, but I didn't feel like they were the intended audience. Just as one example, I don't feel this book teaches Object Orientation (outside the syntax for using it). I think you're going to need to know these concepts eventually in a language like Ruby. You'll have to bring that knowledge with you though, or find it elsewhere. Again, I want to stress that I'm trying to give an honest, not negative, opinion. I enjoyed the book a lot and I did learn Ruby from it. I believe a second edition is due out soon, if you want to wait.
After that I read "The Ruby Way", which is basically a Ruby cookbook. I always find these kind of books help me get the practical side of a language to go along with the theory and this book was no exception. I enjoyed it too. Again though, this is a book for people who know Ruby. It's unlikely you could learn it here, in my opinion.
Hope that helps.
James Edward Gray II
路路路
On Sep 2, 2004, at 4:29 PM, Jason Lane wrote:
Hi list
Apart from good old Google based research and trawling mailing archives, which Ruby books can you recommend.
If I were to buy 1 or 2 which would it be?
Jason Lane wrote:
Hi list
Apart from good old Google based research and trawling mailing
archives, which Ruby books can you recommend.If I were to buy 1 or 2 which would it be?
MTIA
Jason Lane
Developer
Root10 developments
1) Wait just a few weeks and get the 2nd edition of _Programming Ruby_ by
David Thomas and Andrew Hunt. Until then you can read the 1st edition
online, at Programming Ruby: The Pragmatic Programmer's Guide.
2) _The Ruby Way_, by Hal Fulton.
BTW, ruby-doc is a fine place to go for all kinds of Ruby doc.
In article <13826882-FD27-11D8-BD0E-003065F8FF0A@root10.net>,
路路路
Jason Lane <jason@root10.net> wrote:
Hi list
Apart from good old Google based research and trawling mailing
archives, which Ruby books can you recommend.If I were to buy 1 or 2 which would it be?
Definately get this one when it comes out (due in early October):
Phil
Hello,
The only thing I would add to these fine suggestions is that if you are new to programming in general and would like a nice introduction, you might want to check out my tutorial:
http://pine.fm/LearnToProgram/
I tried to start with no previous programming experience assumed, and leave off where "Programming Ruby" begins.
Chris
Jason Lane <jason@root10.net> wrote in message news:<13826882-FD27-11D8-BD0E-003065F8FF0A@root10.net>...
Hi list
Apart from good old Google based research and trawling mailing
archives, which Ruby books can you recommend.If I were to buy 1 or 2 which would it be?
MTIA
Jason Lane
Developer
Root10 developments
1)If you feel like you need a tutorial on ruby
and general comp-sci concepts, start with
"Teach Yourself Ruby In 21 Days".
It's a very good book. Dont let the SAMS 21 days
thing scare you off.
2)Obtain a copy of "Programming Ruby".
I would suggest using the digital version now
and pick up the dead tree version of the second edition
when it comes out.
(Sorry HAL 
)
For those who are coming to RubyConf (hint! hint!) and didn't make the
deadline to get a free copy, I'll be glad to let you read mine during
the breaks. We'll be getting the first batch of books at the
conference itself!
Chad
路路路
On Fri, 3 Sep 2004 07:10:30 +0900, Phil Tomson <ptkwt@aracnet.com> wrote:
In article <13826882-FD27-11D8-BD0E-003065F8FF0A@root10.net>,
Jason Lane <jason@root10.net> wrote:
>Hi list
>
>Apart from good old Google based research and trawling mailing
>archives, which Ruby books can you recommend.
>
>If I were to buy 1 or 2 which would it be?
>Definately get this one when it comes out (due in early October):
https://pragprog.com/titles/ruby/programming-ruby-2nd-edition/
Tim Hunter wrote:
1) Wait just a few weeks and get the 2nd edition of _Programming Ruby_ by
David Thomas and Andrew Hunt. Until then you can read the 1st edition
online, at Programming Ruby: The Pragmatic Programmer's Guide.2) _The Ruby Way_, by Hal Fulton.
BTW, ruby-doc is a fine place to go for all kinds of Ruby doc.
+= 1
Happy rubying
Stephan
路路路
--
Stephan K盲mper/IT-Beratung http://www.stephankaemper.de
Quality Assurance / Software Test / Data Analysis
Chris,
I am currently going through your tutorial and am finding it very
informatative. Thanks for posting it.
Sincerely,
randy
"Chris Pine" <cpine@hellotree.com> wrote in message
news:200492215131.230421@blender...
路路路
Hello,
The only thing I would add to these fine suggestions is that if you are
new to programming in general and would like a nice introduction, you
might want to check out my tutorial:http://pine.fm/LearnToProgram/
I tried to start with no previous programming experience assumed, and
leave off where "Programming Ruby" begins.Chris
Thanks you all for your responses, sorry I didn't get back sooner was in Paris on holiday & attending the Apple Expo 
I shall take all on board
Jason Lane
Developer
Root10 developments