# Beginner, non-programmer - where do I start? **URL:** \ **Category:** Rails\ **Created:** [March 23, 2007, 7:13pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/beginner-non-programmer-where-do-i-start/89918 "2007-03-23T19:13:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dawnrae](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/85e7bf/32.png) [@dawnrae](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/dawnrae)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2007, 7:13pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/beginner-non-programmer-where-do-i-start/89918/1 "2007-03-23T19:13:56Z")
I’m a experienced web designer, fluent in XHTML & CSS, however, scripting languages like javascript and php tend to elude me. I’ve read a good bit on RoR and it seems that it might be a better place for me to get my feet wet in the server-side scripting realm. Does anyone have any suggestions on where I should start? I seriously have no scripting experience beyond plugging in others’ scripts (that I do well), but the actually writing of a script … has just been something I’ve not been able to grasp. Any suggestions on where to start, a book, tutorial, examples that I could enact that would give a good foothold on learning RoR? I’m very good with practical examples that help me to see what happens as a result of a code/script. Dawn ---
**Author:** ![dawnrae](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/85e7bf/32.png) [@dawnrae](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/dawnrae)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2007, 7:22pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/beginner-non-programmer-where-do-i-start/89918/2 "2007-03-23T19:22:01Z")
On Mar 23, 2007, at 2:13 PM, Dawn H. wrote: > Any suggestions on where to start, a book, tutorial, examples that I > could enact that would give a good foothold on learning RoR? I’m very > good with practical examples that help me to see what happens as a > result of a code/script. Everyone will tell you to get AWDwR, but if you have little or no programming experience then I’d suggest also getting Pine’s “Learn to Program”, which will give you beginner’s introduction to Ruby. -faisal ---
**Author:** ![dawnrae](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/85e7bf/32.png) [@dawnrae](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/dawnrae)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2007, 7:36pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/beginner-non-programmer-where-do-i-start/89918/3 "2007-03-23T19:36:56Z")
Faisal N Jawdat wrote: > Everyone will tell you to get AWDwR, but if you have little or no > programming experience then I’d suggest also getting Pine’s “Learn to > Program”, which will give you beginner’s introduction to Ruby. > > -faisal Thank you, Faisal. I’ll take a look at those books. Yes, I do not have any experience with programming really. I’ve tried but most of the books I’ve gotten seem to be written from the standpoint that the reader knows at least one language (usually javascript) and I’ve gotten lost within the first few pages of each book I’ve tried. I need a ground up instruction with practical examples so that I can see what’s happening, do you know what I mean? I learn best and retain what I learn better by doing. Any other suggestions to putting me on the road to learn RoR are appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![dawnrae](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/85e7bf/32.png) [@dawnrae](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/dawnrae)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2007, 5:46am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/beginner-non-programmer-where-do-i-start/89918/4 "2007-03-24T05:46:22Z")
It is a good idea to learn the basics of OO also. Check out the material at : [http://guide.zepho.com/version1](http://guide.zepho.com/version1) You can ignore the UML related stuff and just focus on the basics. ---
**Author:** ![dawnrae](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/85e7bf/32.png) [@dawnrae](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/dawnrae)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2007, 10:41pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/beginner-non-programmer-where-do-i-start/89918/5 "2007-03-24T22:41:14Z")
I would say Learn to Program then David Black’s book called Ruby for Rails then AWDWR. There is a steep learning curve but the pay off is in programming power and efficiency. Bill ---
**Author:** ![dawnrae](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/85e7bf/32.png) [@dawnrae](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/dawnrae)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2007, 1:44pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/beginner-non-programmer-where-do-i-start/89918/6 "2007-03-24T13:44:05Z")
Depending on the kind of person you are, you might enjoy Why’s (Poignant) Guide to Ruby. Whether you (or anyone) could learn to program from it is a different question, but I’d be curious to find out. It’s at ``` http://poignantguide.net/ruby/ ``` -Colin On 3/23/07, Dawn H. [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) wrote: > could enact that would give a good foothold on learning RoR? I’m very > good with practical examples that help me to see what happens as a > result of a code/script. > > Dawn – Colin Strasser Union Square Internet Development 917.723.6930 (m) 646.219.0332 (f) ---
**Author:** ![dawnrae](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/85e7bf/32.png) [@dawnrae](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/dawnrae)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 7:52pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/beginner-non-programmer-where-do-i-start/89918/7 "2008-02-27T19:52:47Z")
Greetings Dawn - On Mar 23 2007, 1:13 pm, Dawn H. \ wrote: > good with practical examples that help me to see what happens as a > result of a code/script. > > Dawn I’m the CTO for [homestars.com](http://homestars.com) - I hope you don’t mind me contacting you directly. I’m very active in rails community, not a head hunter, and am looking for design talent - someone that can produce great technical valid, html/css, table-less layouts, etc. Someone who can use the rails view helpers would be golden. If so, are you avail? Where are you located? thanx for your thoughts Dawn, Jodi