# Really simple question please **URL:** \ **Category:** Rails\ **Created:** [January 27, 2007, 5:51am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/really-simple-question-please/83582 "2007-01-27T05:51:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rae](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/c37758/32.png) [@Rae](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/Rae)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2007, 5:51am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/really-simple-question-please/83582/1 "2007-01-27T05:51:51Z")
I just downloaded ruby instant rails and played with the cookbook online as well as the typo webblog. But how do you create these programs? Do you use InstantRails.exe to create your web? I see a lot of folders under the main folder where I installed the program but don’t know how to open any of them. I’ve done a little programming with VB6 and made my web with FrontPage but both of those have windows programs. All I have found with this rails program is that dos screen that comes up. Is there something else I need to getting started with this ruby rails thing? Rae ---
**Author:** ![Rae](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/c37758/32.png) [@Rae](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/Rae)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2007, 6:10am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/really-simple-question-please/83582/2 "2007-01-27T06:10:49Z")
Rae wrote: > I just downloaded ruby instant rails and played with the cookbook > online as well as the typo webblog. > But how do you create these programs? Do you use InstantRails.exe to > create your web? I see a lot of folders under the main folder where I > installed the program but don’t know how to open any of them. I’ve done > a little programming with VB6 and made my web with FrontPage but both > of those have windows programs. All I have found with this rails > program is that dos screen that comes up. Is there something else I > need to getting started with this ruby rails thing? > Rae InstantRails.exe is just a program that provides a quick way to get ‘Ruby on Rails’ up and running. Ruby on Rails is built around the Ruby programming language. Before you even attempt to try to build Ruby on Rails applications, I would study Ruby first. You can do even do a quick 20 minute online tutorial at [Ruby Programming Language](http://www.ruby-lang.org/en/) . After that you can get started with a basic rails tutorial online. Just search the wiki or google. ---
**Author:** ![Rae](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/c37758/32.png) [@Rae](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/Rae)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2007, 6:25am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/really-simple-question-please/83582/3 "2007-01-27T06:25:52Z")
Ok. Thanks. I looked at some of the Ruby programming language already. I was just looking at this Rails program and wondering what else you need to use it. I am looking at this link now: > **[Radar - O’Reilly](https://www.oreilly.com/radar/)** > > Now, next, and beyond: Tracking need-to-know trends at the intersection of business and technology I downloaded Instant RAils, HeidiSQL, Ruby 1-8521. Do I need any other software to program with Ruby? I still don’t know how to open those folder files. RAe On Jan 27, 12:10 am, Daniel F. [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) ---
**Author:** ![Rae](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/c37758/32.png) [@Rae](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/Rae)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2007, 6:31am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/really-simple-question-please/83582/4 "2007-01-27T06:31:46Z")
Rae wrote: > Ok. Thanks. I looked at some of the Ruby programming language already. > I was just looking at this Rails program and wondering what else you > need to use it. I am looking at this link now: > [Radar – O’Reilly](http://www.onlamp.com/pub/a/onlamp/2005/01/20/rails.html) > > I downloaded Instant RAils, HeidiSQL, Ruby 1-8521. Do I need any other > software to program with Ruby? I still don’t know how to open those > folder files. > > RAe > > On Jan 27, 12:10 am, Daniel F. [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) Well Rae, first you have to understand what Ruby on Rails is, and what programs you are downloading. I’m not sure if you do, either way I’ll help explain everything. Ruby, like I mentioned before is the language. Ruby on Rails is the framework for developing applications on the web, using the Ruby language. Ruby on Rails uses a database to manipulate data. The most common database used is MySql. I myself have never heard of HeidiSQL but I assume it’s a database language just because of the sql suffix. Alright so you pretty much have all the “nessecary” programs. All you need to do is open up the .rb files. You can do this with any text editor. Usually easier with one that supports syntax highlighting for Ruby. I’d google “Rad Rails” - It’s a nice IDE for Ruby, it’s what I used when I started out on Windows. I actually bought a Mac just for Rails and the Textmate editor (which is what they use in the screen casts at [rubyonrails.org](http://rubyonrails.org)). Anyway, that tutorial is a good start. It should explain how to install rails and develop your first application. Let me know if you still need any help or have questions. Daniel F., [http://www.danielfischer.com](http://www.danielfischer.com)