# Newbie question: Writing my first application

**URL:** <https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/newbie-question-writing-my-first-application/89729>\
**Category:** Rails\
**Created:** [March 22, 2007, 10:54am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/newbie-question-writing-my-first-application/89729 "2007-03-22T10:54:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![alex](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/db5fbb/32.png) [@alex](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/alex)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2007, 10:54am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/newbie-question-writing-my-first-application/89729/1 "2007-03-22T10:54:19Z")

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Hi all,

I’m coming from PHP, were I had to write a lot database backed web  
applications. Someone pointed me to ruby on rails.

I just went through all tutorials I could find and ordered my copy of  
“Agile Web D. with Rails”.

I created my first application in rails and up to now I can create/  
delete/modify my database. But now I can’t see how to go on.

Here is a short outline of what I have to do:

It is a project time tool. My coworkers should login and then see a  
screen with the most recent entries. On this screen they should be  
able to edit/modify/create new entries “XX hours worked on project 1  
with comment, YY hours worked on project 2…”  
Each coworker/user should be able to maintain a profile containing  
some configuration options and the possibility to enter/modify his  
personal data (address, phone number).  
There should also be an admin user who can login to generate reports.

The core of the design is not a problem. I could write this in PHP  
with no problems, but I would like to get into rails. I hope it is  
worth it.

A few more specific questions:

- how do I create a login screen for authentication. How can I  
remember the username throughout my application?
- How do I connect all this together? I created a few controllers  
which allows me to CUD my database tables, but I need a few more  
specific fews etc.

Any hint to documentation, examples etc. is very much appreciated.

Alex

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![alex](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/db5fbb/32.png) [@alex](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/alex)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2007, 1:34pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/newbie-question-writing-my-first-application/89729/2 "2007-03-22T13:34:47Z")

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Hi Alex,

> - How do I connect all this together? I created a few controllers  
> which allows me to CUD my database tables, but I need a few more  
> specific fews etc.
> 
> Any hint to documentation, examples etc. is very much appreciated.

The Depot tutorial in AWDwR will give you the answers you’re looking  
for.  
Hope you ordered it with ‘Rush’ delivery 😉

In the meantime, Google is your friend. The Rails wiki has a good HowTo  
section. The Rails documentation takes some getting used to and any  
time  
you spend perusing the Methods (bottom left pane) and then tracking  
methods  
of interest back up into the Classes pane above where you’ll find  
related  
methods will be time well spent. If you haven’t gotten a copy of  
“Programming Ruby” yet, you should get it ordered. It’s the definitive  
language reference for Ruby and is a book you’ll need on your shelf.  
There’s also a prior version available online that’s useful.

Best regards and welcome aboard!  
Bill