Which Ruby Book?

[Fabio Vilela]

Hi guys, 

I don't usually write to the group (although I read it all) but this time I need an advice from the experts!

I once was a Java programmer and then decided to go Ruby/Rails. I can handle ruby with no problems but I still don't think it runs through my vains, if you know what I mean... was thinking about going back for a little bit  and read a good Ruby book to then keep up with the Rails studying. Maybe the need to show some results made me skip this important step, and now I feel some regret. 

so what do you recommend? 

thanks heaps,

Fabz.

[Chris Berkhout]

Hey Fabz,

The standard answer for know Ruby but want more seems to be
Eloquent Ruby: http://www.informit.com/store/product.aspx?isbn=0321584104
It's next on my list.

Read this for a good survey of Ruby books:
The Ruby Reading List - Russ Olsen:
http://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=1759889

Cheers,
Chris

> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "Ruby or Rails Oceania" group.
> To post to this group, send email to rails-...@googlegroups.com.
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> rails-oceani...@googlegroups.com.
> For more options, visit this group at
> http://groups.google.com/group/rails-oceania?hl=en.
>

[Warren Seen]

+1 for eloquent ruby, I'm reading it at the moment.

The first few chapters are relatively basic: writing idiomatic ruby, extra control structures in ruby like unless and until, strings, regexes, 'everything is an object,' but it's by no means a beginner's book.

It covers plenty of more advanced topics in the later chapters, especially dynamic typing and meta-programming, as well as DSLs. I'd say these are the key things that reformed Java programmers need to get across (being one myself!) to truly get into the mindset of a rubyist. :)

Cheers,

Warren.

[Stuart Coyle]

Why's Poignant Guide.  http://mislav.uniqpath.com/poignant-guide/

That's what made my blood run Ruby red. :)

You can't really reform Java programmers...

Stuart Coyle
stuart dot coyle at gmail dot com

[Warren Seen]

True, I probably *could* remember how to put together a FileInputStream and a BufferedReader to read a file if my life depended on it, but hey, what are the chances of being kidnapped by an evil mastermind who needs to parse an XML file in Java? :P

[Tommy Fotak]

I think you'd struggle putting a BufferedReader with a FileInputStream, you'd probably want a BufferedInputStream ;)

Way back in the day I found Programming Ruby really helpful and Hal Fulton's The Ruby Way too.

[Keith Pitty]

Fabio,

Anything by Russ Olsen is worth reading and his list is excellent too. On that list you'll find Ruby Best Practices by Gregory Brown, which I thoroughly recommend. You'd also be well served by spending $8 per month subscribing to http://practicingruby.com - another initiative from Gregory.

Regards,
Keith

[Fabio Vilela]

So many good tips! You guys rock! Thanks heaps!

Fabio

--
Sent from my mobile device