# \[ANN\] Third edition of "Programming Ruby" now in beta

**URL:** <https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/ann-third-edition-of-programming-ruby-now-in-beta/123106>\
**Category:** Rails\
**Created:** [December 14, 2007, 1:24am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/ann-third-edition-of-programming-ruby-now-in-beta/123106 "2007-12-14T01:24:34Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
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**Author:** ![pragdave](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pragdave](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/pragdave)\
**Post date:** [December 14, 2007, 1:24am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/ann-third-edition-of-programming-ruby-now-in-beta/123106/1 "2007-12-14T01:24:34Z")

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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](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](http://pragprog.com). You’ll find buttons  
on your account page which let you buy at a discount.

Enjoy

Dave T.