Ruby 1.9 is just around the corner, so it looks like a good time to
create a new edition of Programming Ruby. So, I’m pleased to announce
that the Third Edition of the PickAxe has just entered beta.
The book’s home page is at http://pragprog.com/titles/ruby3
Here’s the plan. I’m starting with the second edition text and going
through it revising for 1.9 changes. So far I’m done the first 120
pages or so. When you look at the beta book, you’ll see some pages
with red headers and footers, and others with gray. The red pages are
updated content, and the gray pages are content from the second
edition. Over time, more and more pages will turn red, until the book
is done.
Matz is still making changes to 1.9 functionality. This book will
track these changes, so that it will mirror what 1.9 becomes as we
move towards an eventual release. We won’t go to press until Ruby has
stabilized.
We’re experimenting with something different for this book. With all
our other titles, a fresh edition counts as a brand new book, and has
to be bought again. With this edition, we’re offering substantial
discounts to owners of the existing second edition (if those books or
PDFs were bought from us).
To get these discounts (and, remember, you have to have bought the
books directly from us to qualify) simply create an account (or log in
to your existing account) on http://pragprog.com. You’ll find buttons
on your account page which let you buy at a discount.
Enjoy
Dave T.