# Embedable Ruby Interpreter

**URL:** <https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/embedable-ruby-interpreter/79784>\
**Category:** Ruby\
**Created:** [March 11, 2006, 5:21am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/embedable-ruby-interpreter/79784 "2006-03-11T05:21:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mscode3](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/dec6dc/32.png) [@mscode3](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/mscode3)\
**Post date:** [March 11, 2006, 5:21am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/embedable-ruby-interpreter/79784/1 "2006-03-11T05:21:29Z")

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I am looking for a Ruby interpreter that can be embedded in another  
product, so that Ruby can be used as the customization or application  
development language for that product. Ideally, this interpreter would  
be OpenSource and not carry an anti-commercial license like GPL.

Is there such a beastie?

Thanks in advance for your answers.

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**Author:** ![mscode3](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/dec6dc/32.png) [@mscode3](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/mscode3)\
**Post date:** [March 11, 2006, 5:51am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/embedable-ruby-interpreter/79784/2 "2006-03-11T05:51:44Z")

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On 10-Mar-06, at 11:18 PM, mscode3 wrote:

> I am looking for a Ruby interpreter that can be embedded in another  
> product, so that Ruby can be used as the customization or application  
> development language for that product. Ideally, this interpreter would  
> be OpenSource and not carry an anti-commercial license like GPL.

GPL isn’t anti-commercial, it just places limits on what you can  
charge for GPL licensed code, and you must supply your source code.  
(Probably impractical, but not anti-commercial.)

> Is there such a beastie?

Maybe, but you can just rip out the regex code, and for example,  
replace it with oniguruma and be happier than a pig in shit. To my  
knowledge, that’s the only GPL’d code in the VM.

–  
Jeremy T.  
removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid

“If you round off the fractions, embedded systems consume 100% of the  
worldwide production of microprocessors.” – Jim Turley

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**Author:** ![mscode3](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/dec6dc/32.png) [@mscode3](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/mscode3)\
**Post date:** [March 11, 2006, 6:00am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/embedable-ruby-interpreter/79784/3 "2006-03-11T06:00:47Z")

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From: “mscode3” [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid)

> I am looking for a Ruby interpreter that can be embedded in another  
> product, so that Ruby can be used as the customization or application  
> development language for that product. Ideally, this interpreter would  
> be OpenSource and not carry an anti-commercial license like GPL.
> 
> Is there such a beastie?

Hi, Ruby is dual-licensed. See the files “COPYING” and “LEGAL”  
in your ruby distribution.

As I understand it, everything in Ruby is either Matz’ Ruby  
license, or some form of BSD or Artistic license, except  
regex.[ch] which are under LGPL. If even LGPL is incompatible  
with your product, you can build ruby with the Oniguruma  
regex engine instead, which is (I believe) Ruby-licensed.

“I Am Not A Lawyer”, etc. 🙂

Regards,

Bill