# \[n00b\] Need a good reference for var-types/string-esc, etc

**URL:** <https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/n00b-need-a-good-reference-for-var-types-string-esc-etc/116386>\
**Category:** Ruby\
**Created:** [October 5, 2007, 2:54am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/n00b-need-a-good-reference-for-var-types-string-esc-etc/116386 "2007-10-05T02:54:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![olie](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/c4cdca/32.png) [@olie](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/olie)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2007, 2:54am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/n00b-need-a-good-reference-for-var-types-string-esc-etc/116386/1 "2007-10-05T02:54:40Z")

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One of the problems with Ruby being so popular is that any google search  
with “Ruby tutorial” or similar turns up about 8-bazillion pages, and  
they all want you to dive right in to see how easy everything is.

…Which is really cool – BUT!

I’m having trouble groking the difference between foo, @foo, :foo,  
#{foo}, [foo] {:#[foo]} (ok, I made that one up), etc. About the only  
one I feel like I understand is $foo – but how often am I going to use  
_THAT_?! (Hint: very-nearly “never.”)

(Heh. $ means “global”, right? I haven’t used a global var in the most  
recent 15 yrs of programming…)

(Ok, and I sort-of get :foo, but not well enough to describe it, which  
means “not really.”)

So, anyway… don’t TELL me the difference (well, you can if you want)  
– what I’m REALLY asking is: what is a good reference that describes  
all of these things, and how they’re different?

Thanks!

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**Author:** ![olie](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/c4cdca/32.png) [@olie](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/olie)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2007, 3:04am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/n00b-need-a-good-reference-for-var-types-string-esc-etc/116386/2 "2007-10-05T03:04:28Z")

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Olie D. wrote:

> Thanks!  
> Dave T.’ _Programming\_Ruby_ is the canonical Ruby reference.

> **[Programming Ruby (2nd edition)](https://pragprog.com/titles/ruby/index.html)**
>
> We improve the lives of professional developers. We create timely, practical books on classic and cutting-edge topics to help you learn and practice your craft, and accelerate your career. Come learn with us.

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**Author:** ![olie](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/c4cdca/32.png) [@olie](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/olie)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2007, 3:06am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/n00b-need-a-good-reference-for-var-types-string-esc-etc/116386/3 "2007-10-05T03:06:13Z")

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Quoth Olie D.:

> Thanks!  
> [Ruby | zenspider.com | by ryan davis](http://www.zenspider.com/Languages/Ruby/QuickRef.html)