Ruby in a Nutshell .. worth it?

ruby-talk
1

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. :slight_smile:

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

路路路

* EB (ebonakDUH_@hotmail.com) wrote:

2

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 :slight_smile:

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 :slight_smile:

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

Cheers,

路路路

__
Peter
http://wwww.rubyrailways.com

3

Hallo Emiel,

Emiel van de Laar 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 :slight_smile:

>I'd love it if this book got an update as well. :slight_smile:
>
>>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! :frowning: 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/bookstore

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

路路路

* EB (ebonakDUH_@hotmail.com) wrote:

>* EB (ebonakDUH_@hotmail.com) wrote:

4

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 :slight_smile:

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 :slight_smile:

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