# Programming Ruby For Newbies **URL:** \ **Category:** Ruby\ **Created:** [September 4, 2007, 3:18am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/programming-ruby-for-newbies/113697 "2007-09-04T03:18:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/jinpanchi)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2007, 3:18am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/programming-ruby-for-newbies/113697/1 "2007-09-04T03:18:50Z")
Howdy there, I have always been interested in programming. I looked for books, but it treated me like a pro. Please let me state now: I have not done any programming before. I looked around, and Ruby seems most appealing to me, so I picked it as a first language; my mother tongue. šŸ˜› Now what do I want? I am looking for a programming Ruby for dummies, for those who havenā€™t type a single command line in their lifetime. Now I tried to read Programming Ruby, commonly called The Pickaxe, but again, the reader was treated as the bookā€™s subject aficionado. To sum up my rambling in one sentence: I want a programming ruby guide for dummies. Iā€™m not asking for you to do my simple search on the net, Iā€™m asking for your recommendation or referrals. Thanks in advanced, Jin ---
**Author:** ![jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/jinpanchi)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2007, 3:50am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/programming-ruby-for-newbies/113697/2 "2007-09-04T03:50:39Z")
Jin D. wrote: > Now what do I want? I am looking for a programming Ruby for dummies, for > those who havenā€™t type a single command line in their lifetime. Now I > tried to read Programming Ruby, commonly called The Pickaxe, but again, > the reader was treated as the bookā€™s subject aficionado. Books are so Last Millenium. Try a website where you are coached to write Ruby code: [http://tryruby.hobix.com/](http://tryruby.hobix.com/) > To sum up my rambling in one sentence: I want a programming ruby guide > for dummies. Please donā€™t tempt us. šŸ˜‰ ---
**Author:** ![jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/jinpanchi)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2007, 4:03am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/programming-ruby-for-newbies/113697/3 "2007-09-04T04:03:40Z")
Hi ā€“ On Tue, 4 Sep 2007, Jin D. wrote: > tried to read Programming Ruby, commonly called The Pickaxe, but again, > the reader was treated as the bookā€™s subject aficionado. > > To sum up my rambling in one sentence: I want a programming ruby guide > for dummies. > > Iā€™m not asking for you to do my simple search on the net, Iā€™m asking for > your recommendation or referrals. You should check out Chris P.'s book ā€œLearn to Programā€, which is an intro to programming that uses Ruby to teach you. [http://pine.fm/LearnToProgram/](http://pine.fm/LearnToProgram/) David ---
**Author:** ![jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/jinpanchi)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2007, 4:09am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/programming-ruby-for-newbies/113697/4 "2007-09-04T04:09:41Z")
Jin D. wrote: > tried to read Programming Ruby, commonly called The Pickaxe, but again, > the reader was treated as the bookā€™s subject aficionado. > > To sum up my rambling in one sentence: I want a programming ruby guide > for dummies. Check out Peter C.'s _Beginning\_Ruby_, from Apress. ---
**Author:** ![jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/jinpanchi)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2007, 5:14am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/programming-ruby-for-newbies/113697/5 "2007-09-04T05:14:46Z")
removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid wrote: > > a first language; my mother tongue. šŸ˜› > > your recommendation or referrals. > > You should check out Chris P.'s book ā€œLearn to Programā€, which is an > intro to programming that uses Ruby to teach you. > > [http://pine.fm/LearnToProgram/](http://pine.fm/LearnToProgram/) > > David I agree - I strongly recommend this one! Cheers, Mohit. 9/4/2007 | 11:12 AM. ---
**Author:** ![jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/jinpanchi)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2007, 8:35am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/programming-ruby-for-newbies/113697/6 "2007-09-04T08:35:15Z")
Mohit S. wrote: > removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid wrote: > > > > a first language; my mother tongue. šŸ˜› > > > your recommendation or referrals. > > > > You should check out Chris P.'s book ā€œLearn to Programā€, which is an > > intro to programming that uses Ruby to teach you. > > > > [http://pine.fm/LearnToProgram/](http://pine.fm/LearnToProgram/) > > > > David > > I agree - I strongly recommend this one! > > Cheers, > Mohit. > 9/4/2007 | 11:12 AM. I second that second! Ruby is my first language as well, and Chris P.'s book was essential! Buy it. Itā€™s worth it. ---
**Author:** ![jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/jinpanchi)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2007, 8:41am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/programming-ruby-for-newbies/113697/7 "2007-09-04T08:41:59Z")
2007/9/4, Jin D. [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid): > Now what do I want? I am looking for a programming Ruby for dummies, for > those who havenā€™t type a single command line in their lifetime. Now I > tried to read Programming Ruby, commonly called The Pickaxe, but again, > the reader was treated as the bookā€™s subject aficionado. I really love whyā€™s guide: [http://poignantguide.net/ruby/](http://poignantguide.net/ruby/) It woke the interest for Ruby in me and kept me digging deeper in it. I love the cartoons and the crazy sidebars ---
**Author:** ![jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/jinpanchi)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2007, 1:30pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/programming-ruby-for-newbies/113697/8 "2007-09-04T13:30:00Z")
Jin D. wrote: > Now I > tried to read Programming Ruby, commonly called The Pickaxe, but again, > the reader was treated as the bookā€™s subject aficionado. Iā€™m reading it now, and I agree with youā€“a newcomer to programming has no chance of understanding it, so donā€™t feel bad. ---
**Author:** ![jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/jinpanchi)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2007, 1:49pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/programming-ruby-for-newbies/113697/9 "2007-09-04T13:49:52Z")
The Pickaxe is best as a reference or a starting point for experienced programmers, but indispensible as a reference book for Ruby. Chris P.'s ā€œLearning to Programā€ is excellent for anyone completely new to programming. After that, Peter C.'s book, Beginning Ruby, From Novice to Professional, might not make you professional (thatā€™s the Apress series subtitle, but it will take you on a tour of lots of things you can do with Ruby. This mailing list is also definitely the right place for questions. ---
**Author:** ![jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/jinpanchi)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2007, 4:51pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/programming-ruby-for-newbies/113697/10 "2007-09-04T16:51:50Z")
I am also a Ruby and programming newb, and I have bought countless books. I would recommend that you start with Chris P.'s ā€œLearn to Program.ā€ From there, I would go with David Blackā€™s ā€œRuby for Rails,ā€ particularly if you plan to get into Rails. Other responses mentioned Peter C.'s ā€œBeginning Rubyā€ and I found that to be a good book as well. Rahlyn ---
**Author:** ![jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/jinpanchi)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2007, 2:44pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/programming-ruby-for-newbies/113697/11 "2007-09-04T14:44:07Z")
2007/9/4, Thomas W. [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid): > I really love whyā€™s guide: [http://poignantguide.net/ruby/](http://poignantguide.net/ruby/) It woke the > interest for Ruby in me and kept me digging deeper in it. I love the > cartoons and the crazy sidebars Ah, thereā€™s also a book form of whyā€™s guide, but I canā€™t find the shop right now. ---
**Author:** ![jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/jinpanchi)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2007, 9:01pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/programming-ruby-for-newbies/113697/12 "2007-09-04T21:01:53Z")
Jin D. wrote: > To sum up my rambling in one sentence: I want a programming ruby guide > for dummies. There is something close: > **[dummies - Learning Made Easy](https://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesTitle/productCd-0470081201.html)** > > dummies transforms the hard-to-understand into easy-to-use to enable learners at every level to fuel their pursuit of professional and personal advancement. ---
**Author:** ![jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/jinpanchi)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2007, 9:13pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/programming-ruby-for-newbies/113697/13 "2007-09-04T21:13:05Z")
hi, Also check [http://www.rubyist.net/~slagell/ruby/examples.html](http://www.rubyist.net/~slagell/ruby/examples.html) -Ayyappan K. Jin D. wrote: > To sum up my rambling in one sentence: I want a programming ruby guide > for dummies. > Iā€™m not asking for you to do my simple search on the net, Iā€™m asking for > your recommendation or referrals. ---
**Author:** ![jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/jinpanchi)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2007, 10:01pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/programming-ruby-for-newbies/113697/14 "2007-09-04T22:01:19Z")
On Sep 3, 2007, at 9:50 PM, Phlip wrote: > > To sum up my rambling in one sentence: I want a programming ruby > > guide > > for dummies. > > Please donā€™t tempt us. šŸ˜‰ My only problem with For Dummy books is that they have poor paper quality. 'Nuff said. -------------------------------------------------------| ~ Ari crap my sig wonā€™t fit ---
**Author:** ![jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/jinpanchi)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2007, 10:57pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/programming-ruby-for-newbies/113697/15 "2007-09-04T22:57:36Z")
Like all books, many publishersā€™ quality varies within a series from title to title though the covers look similar. Luckily, with Ruby, almost all the books are very very good. If you want to learn Rails at some point, you want to get the book from Sitepoint or the Friends of Ed book. Theyā€™re both pretty good to people new at programming and new at Ruby and new at web applications. David Blackā€™s book is excellent for itā€™s incredible and unique Ruby insights, but itā€™s approach to Rails is a bit out of date. That said, itā€™s still a very good book that should be in your Ruby library. Itā€™s just too bad that the middle section dedicated to Ruby isnā€™t rewritten and bound as a purely Ruby book. Youā€™ll see his posts here FREQUENTLY. Davidā€™s posts are always worth reading, no matter what youā€™re doing with Ruby. But you will see a whole host of names of people who post here regularly that also have lots of insight and are very helpful. Donā€™t hesitate to visit the web sites of books and their authors. Ruby and Rails authors are nice people and will actually respond to you and try to help you if they can. ---
**Author:** ![jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/jinpanchi)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2007, 7:47pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/programming-ruby-for-newbies/113697/16 "2007-09-04T19:47:56Z")
Jin D. wrote: > Howdy there, > I have always been interested in programming. I looked for books, but it > treated me like a pro. Please let me state now: I have not done any > programming before. > > I looked around, and Ruby seems most appealing to me, so I picked it as > a first language; my mother tongue. šŸ˜› > > Now what do I want? I am looking for a programming Ruby for dummies, for > those who havenā€™t type a single command line in their lifetime. Now I > tried to read Programming Ruby, commonly called The Pickaxe, but again, > the reader was treated as the bookā€™s subject aficionado. > > To sum up my rambling in one sentence: I want a programming ruby guide > for dummies. > > Iā€™m not asking for you to do my simple search on the net, Iā€™m asking for > your recommendation or referrals. > > Thanks in advanced, > Jin "You should check out Chris P.'s book ā€œLearn to Programā€, which is an intro to programming that uses Ruby to teach you. [http://pine.fm/LearnToProgram/](http://pine.fm/LearnToProgram/)" I agree with David, this was the first programming book I ever read. You will want to read it twice though. I was in the same boat you were in. I hate reading, and it takes me a while to understand some of these things. He has you do small examples in the book and gives you small tests. If you make it through completely 1 time through, then start back at the beginning like itā€™s your first time through, and you will catch so much you missed the first time. ~Jeremy ---
**Author:** ![jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/jinpanchi)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2007, 12:19am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/programming-ruby-for-newbies/113697/17 "2007-09-05T00:19:45Z")
> I agree, itā€™s a very good starting point. Many books teach you about the language but not about Programming. I think Iā€™ve learned more about Languages from books and more about Programming from Code and Wikipedia. Some thing like that web site is going to be very good for you. You might also look to get a decent book on learning to program, that while expecting you to know a bit of programming. Doesnā€™t expect you to know jack about Ruby. Generally I like Oā€™Reilly books such as Learning Perl. Once youā€™re further along in learning, you will value having such a book and not having to get one later (or skip all together). I started off with the Ruby U.ā€™s Guide and started playing with irb when I decided to learn Ruby. TerryP. ---
**Author:** ![jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/jinpanchi)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2007, 1:06pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/programming-ruby-for-newbies/113697/18 "2007-09-05T13:06:10Z")
On Sep 4, 2007, at 6:18 PM, Terry P. wrote: > > > Iā€™m not asking for you to do my simple search on the net, Iā€™m > > > asking for > > > your recommendation or referrals. > > > > You should check out Chris P.'s book ā€œLearn to Programā€, which > > is an > > intro to programming that uses Ruby to teach you. > > > > [http://pine.fm/LearnToProgram/](http://pine.fm/LearnToProgram/) If you donā€™t like reading things online (like me), you can also get it in book form. Itā€™s got a couple edits, but mostly itā€™s the same and has excellent paper quality. Plus, the book reads like an awesome conversation. Ari -------------------------------------------| Nietzsche is my copilot ---
**Author:** ![jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/jinpanchi)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2007, 1:12pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/programming-ruby-for-newbies/113697/19 "2007-09-05T13:12:12Z")
Hi ā€“ On Wed, 5 Sep 2007, Ari B. wrote: > If you donā€™t like reading things online (like me), > you can also get it in book form. Itā€™s got a couple edits, but mostly itā€™s > the same and has excellent paper quality. By ā€œChris P.'s bookā€ I meantā€¦ Chris P.'s book šŸ™‚ Thereā€™s a link to it on that page, along with the online tutorial version which I forgot to mention. David ---
**Author:** ![jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@jinpanchi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/jinpanchi)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2007, 4:20pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/programming-ruby-for-newbies/113697/20 "2007-09-05T16:20:58Z")
Jonathan D. wrote: > Buy it. Itā€™s worth it. > My personal dream book is ā€œLearn to Pragmatically Program Ruby for > Rails, Head First (with Foxes)ā€ by Chris P., Dave T., David > Black, Kathy Sierra and \_why the lucky stiff, but I doubt that will > ever get written (-; jwm [Next page](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/programming-ruby-for-newbies/113697.md?page=2)