# C / C++ extensions: need all the tips/tricks you can give me **URL:** \ **Category:** Ruby\ **Created:** [March 10, 2008, 3:22pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/c-c-extensions-need-all-the-tips-tricks-you-can-give-me/131480 "2008-03-10T15:22:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![emmanueloga](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/ecae2f/32.png) [@emmanueloga](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/emmanueloga)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2008, 3:22pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/c-c-extensions-need-all-the-tips-tricks-you-can-give-me/131480/1 "2008-03-10T15:22:55Z")
Hi! I’m looking for all available sources of information on developing ruby extensions. I’m not a C language expert, but I’ve worked some years ago as a junior C/C++ developer. For that reason, I think I could get in business if I find the good resources inside the mess of google results for “writing ruby C extensions” query… I would like to hear your suggestions, experiences, gotchas, etc… on the subject as links to web pages or directly here for both: - Essentials C (and C++) language knowledge that I will need - Specific ruby extensions tips - I need mostly info on 1.8.x mri, but info related to jruby and others will be appreciated too. - Writing extensions in other languages. I would like info in writing extension in D language, for example. DISCLAIMER: I know how to use google :-). I already did my homework… Still, I would like to hear suggestions from real experts (that is, YOU 🙂 better than from a stupid computer (that is, google), that always spits a big amount of junk inside the useful links. P.S.: My intent is 1) to learn this subject 2) To compile a definitive document/webpage/wiki/something --with proper credits attached :)-- to summarize the good info sources I retrieve. You may agree with me that info on writing C extensions is scarce and scattered all over the web. P.S.2: I Know that the main source of information is on the ruby source itself and the txt files bundled. I also know of the Pickaxe chapter on this. The problem is that, being no C expert, is a little difficult to me to learn from those sources. That’s why I would also appreciate your recommendations on good / concise sources of C related knowledge. ---
**Author:** ![emmanueloga](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/ecae2f/32.png) [@emmanueloga](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/emmanueloga)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2008, 12:13am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/c-c-extensions-need-all-the-tips-tricks-you-can-give-me/131480/2 "2008-03-11T00:13:21Z")
On Monday 10 March 2008 15:22:51 Emmanuel O. wrote: > this. The problem is that, being no C expert, is a little difficult to > me to learn from those sources. That’s why I would also appreciate your > recommendations on good / concise sources of C related knowledge. Well, you’ve written pretty much everything anyone could tell you on a generic question about ruby extension programming. The ruby C API is pretty straightforward, it is documented in file README.EXT which comes with ruby source, and as you said yourself you can find many sources on the subject all over the net. So far i wrote two extensions and i can’t think of any serious problem or a tip that wouldn’t be mentioned in the docs. Really the best way to learn this is to just start coding, and see if you’ll hit any problems, then you can ask specifically, and i’m sure everyone here will try to help you. Also, if you’ll start exercising your C skills, remember that C and C++ are two radically different languages, that share common syntax by mere accident 🙂 Jan ---
**Author:** ![emmanueloga](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/ecae2f/32.png) [@emmanueloga](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/emmanueloga)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2008, 12:22am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/c-c-extensions-need-all-the-tips-tricks-you-can-give-me/131480/3 "2008-03-11T00:22:51Z")
> Well, you’ve written pretty much everything anyone could tell you on a > generic question Wow!!! I tried my best, but you skillfully gave me the answer I was trying to avoid! (no offense, just a joke! 🙂 ) You are very very right. Still, by browsing these very forums and all over the web I found tips like “beware of multi-threading” or “don’t do this when writing a binding for a c++ lib”. I’m just trying to get up to date tips and links that I may have loose on my research. > Really the best way to learn this is to just start coding, and see if > you’ll hit any problems, then you can ask specifically, and i’m sure everyone > here will try to help you. Thanks! I use to get all info I can get before starting a project. That’s why I asked first, but again you are right. Still would like to receive tips / links in advance