# Amazing Java Developer Needs Help Getting Started **URL:** \ **Category:** Rails\ **Created:** [January 13, 2008, 3:09am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/amazing-java-developer-needs-help-getting-started/125869 "2008-01-13T03:09:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![scott](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/3e96dc/32.png) [@scott](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/scott)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2008, 3:09am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/amazing-java-developer-needs-help-getting-started/125869/1 "2008-01-13T03:09:54Z")
Hi guys, I need to learn Ruby on Rails as fast as possible and very much wish to start with 2.0. I’m really good at developing software with Java and its associated tools and frameworks. What is the best path for me to be productive with RoR? I went to [www.rubyonrails.org](http://www.rubyonrails.org) and followed the basic “Get Started” guide. Simple enough, downloaded and installed Ruby, RubyGems and Rails, created a skeleton app, started the server and visited [http://localhost:3000](http://localhost:3000). Everything looks good so far. Very quick and easy to get up and running with a skeleton application. I click on “About your application’s environment” and immediately get a database error. I read ruby on rails 2.0 uses sqlite3, but I have no idea how to start or configure the server. There’s no documentation anywhere obvious in the [rubyonrails.org](http://rubyonrails.org) site or localhost:3000. I was able to figure out how to install sqlite3 using gem after viewing the database.yml file, so now I get an error about a missing sqlite3.dll file. Ok I actually just read the official weblog and see I need to install sqlite3, I thought ruby on rails came with it? I’ll do this later. So, assuming I get sqlite3 installed or just install mysql or postgresql, where do I go from here? Surprisingly, I don’t see any kind of documentation or tutorials for Ruby on Rails 2.0. The official documentation webpage presents a list of books and tutorials from 2006. Some tutorials are even from 2005! Obviously these don’t cover 2.0. And I understand there are lots of changes in 2.0, such as no scaffolding (don’t know what that is yet), different pagination (again no idea what it is), session management, filenames, etc. Can someone point me in the right direction please? I’ve heard so many great things about ruby and rails, but to be honest I’m definitely not impressed with the initial learning phase. ---
**Author:** ![scott](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/3e96dc/32.png) [@scott](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/scott)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2008, 6:43am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/amazing-java-developer-needs-help-getting-started/125869/2 "2008-01-13T06:43:46Z")
I train people a lot. The approach I take with people is to have them use Rails 1.2.3 and do the “Agile Web D. with Rails” book. See > **[Pragmatic Bookshelf: By Developers, For Developers](https://pragprog.com)** > > We improve the lives of professional developers. We create timely, practical books on classic and cutting-edge topics to help you learn and practice your craft, and accelerate your career. Come learn with us. Install Rails 1.2.3 with gem install --version=1.2.3 rails Then to use Rails 1.2.3 for a project, use rails _1.2.3_ projectname (The _1.2.3_ part specifies which version of the Gem you’re going to use. If you leae that iff, it will use the most recent version (2.0). The Agile book takes you through all of the stuff you need to learn about the basics of Rails. While some things have changed, you don’t need to know about all that as a beginner. Once you understand how the framework actually works, you can take a look at the “What’s New in Rails 2.0” mini-book from [www.peepcode.com](http://www.peepcode.com). Rails 2.0 took things out and moved them into plugins to make the framework lighter. That’s why none of the current books or tutorials really work well. If you’re a competent programmer, this should be trivial. Rails 2.0 came out not that long ago, and while it has been in development for a long time, they neer announced _when_ it was going to be released so a lot of the books aren’t quire done yet. There’s one book on Rails 2.0 that’s quite good, but I don’t really think it’s for beginners. It’s called “The Rails Way” by Obie Fernandez. Best of luck! ---
**Author:** ![scott](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/3e96dc/32.png) [@scott](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/scott)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2008, 8:25pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/amazing-java-developer-needs-help-getting-started/125869/3 "2008-01-13T20:25:10Z")
Hi Brian, Thank you for the advice. I did find a quick simple tutorial for rails alone written a few days ago: > **[RandomSyntax.com is for sale | HugeDomains](https://www.hugedomains.com/domain_profile.cfm?d=randomsyntax.com)** > > The leading source brandable domain names. Competitive prices. Excellent service. Get your domain name today. Though it makes use of scaffolding, something I read was removed in rails 2.0. So I guess the author was mistaken about which version he was writing this article for. ---
**Author:** ![scott](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/3e96dc/32.png) [@scott](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/scott)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2008, 2:20pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/amazing-java-developer-needs-help-getting-started/125869/4 "2008-01-14T14:20:38Z")
On 1/13/08, Jeremy McAnally [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) wrote: > A lot of people keep saying that scaffold was removed. Let me be > clear: it was not. > > Only the `scaffold` method which dynamically generated a scaffolding > for you was removed. You can still generate RESTful scaffolding just > like the article says. Right, in fact if anything generated scaffolding has gotten better over time. For example, I think the ability to specify model attributes and generating the migration, model, controller, routing, …, all in one swell foop is relatively new, isn’t it? Not that I wouldn’t like to see more improvements like being able to generate scaffolding for an existing model, and/or support for scaffolding nested resourceful controllers. – Rick DeNatale My blog on Ruby [http://talklikeaduck.denhaven2.com/](http://talklikeaduck.denhaven2.com/) ---
**Author:** ![scott](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/3e96dc/32.png) [@scott](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/scott)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2008, 4:03pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/amazing-java-developer-needs-help-getting-started/125869/5 "2008-01-14T16:03:55Z")
On Jan 14, 7:20 am, “Rick DeNatale” [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) wrote: > Not that I wouldn’t like to see more improvements like being able to > generate scaffolding for an existing model [snip] To that end, check out Brian’s plugin: [http://www.napcsweb.com/blog/2007/11/04/scaffoldform-generator/](http://www.napcsweb.com/blog/2007/11/04/scaffoldform-generator/) Jeff > **[Hey Daddio!](http://softiesonrails.com)** > > Home of Hey Daddio Software ---
**Author:** ![scott](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/3e96dc/32.png) [@scott](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/scott)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2008, 1:36am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/amazing-java-developer-needs-help-getting-started/125869/6 "2008-01-15T01:36:44Z")
Hi Jeremy, Your Ruby in Practice book looks very good. That sounds like it would suit my situation perfectly. Unfortunately it appears to only be available in June. But the link you provide shows a Sept 2007 early access release? Does that cover rails 2.0? Should I get this given I know nothing about ruby or rails, but am a seasoned java developer? On Jan 13, 1:56 pm, “Jeremy McAnally” [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) ---
**Author:** ![scott](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/3e96dc/32.png) [@scott](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/scott)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2008, 10:57pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/amazing-java-developer-needs-help-getting-started/125869/7 "2008-01-13T22:57:21Z")
A lot of people keep saying that scaffold was removed. Let me be clear: it was not. Only the `scaffold` method which dynamically generated a scaffolding for you was removed. You can still generate RESTful scaffolding just like the article says. –Jeremy On Jan 13, 2008 2:23 PM, Scott [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) wrote: > On Jan 12, 9:42 pm, “Brian H.” [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) wrote: > > > If you’re a competent programmer, this should be trivial. Rails 2.0 came > > > > many great things about ruby and rails, but to be honest I’m > > > definitely not impressed with the initial learning phase. – [http://www.jeremymcanally.com/](http://www.jeremymcanally.com/) My books: Ruby in Practice > **[Ruby in Practice](https://www.manning.com/books/ruby-in-practice)** > > Like Ruby itself, Ruby in Practice will make you more productive. The book shows you practical techniques and strategies for small projects and large-scale environments. A cookbook-style reference, it gives you concrete examples of systems... My free Ruby e-book > **[Site not found · DreamHost](http://www.humblelittlerubybook.com/)** > > The owner of this domain has not yet uploaded their website. My blogs: > **[Site not found · DreamHost](http://www.mrneighborly.com/)** > > The owner of this domain has not yet uploaded their website. [http://www.rubyinpractice.com/](http://www.rubyinpractice.com/)