# Ruby in a Nutshell - still worthwhile?

**URL:** <https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/ruby-in-a-nutshell-still-worthwhile/99716>\
**Category:** Ruby\
**Created:** [December 13, 2005, 4:59am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/ruby-in-a-nutshell-still-worthwhile/99716 "2005-12-13T04:59:44Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jeff](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@jeff](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/jeff)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2005, 4:59am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/ruby-in-a-nutshell-still-worthwhile/99716/1 "2005-12-13T04:59:44Z")

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I’m looking for a quick reference guide to Ruby. I have the PickAxe  
already, which is great for learning Ruby, but now I’m looking for  
something more reference-like and smaller 🙂

The O’Reilly “in a nutshell” book is from 2001 and covers only up to  
1.6. I imagine they’re waiting for 2.0 before the do another book.

Is the book still worth getting? Is there a different  
quick-reference/quick-explanation guide that people recommend?

Thanks  
Jeff

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**Author:** ![jeff](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@jeff](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/jeff)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2005, 5:15am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/ruby-in-a-nutshell-still-worthwhile/99716/2 "2005-12-13T05:15:05Z")

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Jeff C. wrote:

> Thanks  
> Jeff
> 
> –  
> Posted via [http://www.ruby-forum.com/](http://www.ruby-forum.com/).

I use it a lot, cause i can’t remember too much ruby if i’m switching  
between python and perl

> **[Ruby | zenspider.com | by ryan davis](https://www.zenspider.com/ruby/)**
>
> Ruby facts, opinions, source code, links, and stuff.

[http://www.testingeducation.org/conference/wtst3\_pettichord9.pdf](http://www.testingeducation.org/conference/wtst3_pettichord9.pdf)  
[http://www.ruby-doc.org/doxygen/1.8.1/functions\_vars.html](http://www.ruby-doc.org/doxygen/1.8.1/functions_vars.html)

> **[Cheat Sheet Roundup - Over 30 Cheatsheets for developers](https://www.petefreitag.com/item/455.cfm)**

[http://ruby-pdf.rubyforge.org/pdf-writer/demos/Ruby-Language-QuickRef.pdf](http://ruby-pdf.rubyforge.org/pdf-writer/demos/Ruby-Language-QuickRef.pdf)

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**Author:** ![jeff](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@jeff](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/jeff)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2005, 6:09am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/ruby-in-a-nutshell-still-worthwhile/99716/3 "2005-12-13T06:09:15Z")

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Gene T. wrote:

> Jeff C. wrote:

And here are some pictures, teh 1st requires you to buy an apple 30"  
display  
[http://objectgraph.rubyforge.org/dotOG.html](http://objectgraph.rubyforge.org/dotOG.html)

[http://onestepback.org/images/rubyobjects.png](http://onestepback.org/images/rubyobjects.png)

[http://www.ping.de/~flori/flott/exe/session/project/ruby/igraph](http://www.ping.de/~flori/flott/exe/session/project/ruby/igraph)  
[http://blade.nagaokaut.ac.jp/cgi-bin/scat.rb/ruby/ruby-talk/154424](http://blade.nagaokaut.ac.jp/cgi-bin/scat.rb/ruby/ruby-talk/154424)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jeff](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@jeff](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/jeff)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2005, 4:08pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/ruby-in-a-nutshell-still-worthwhile/99716/4 "2005-12-13T16:08:08Z")

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On 12/12/05, Jeff C. [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) wrote:

> I’m looking for a quick reference guide to Ruby. I have the PickAxe  
> already, which is great for learning Ruby, but now I’m looking for  
> something more reference-like and smaller 🙂

Truthfully, I have a copy, but I do not use it. For quick reference  
check out ri, otherwise use the Pickaxe. Of course if matz gets  
royalties (I would assume he does, probably enough to buy snacks),  
then by all means pick up a copy 🙂