Welcome to the "Introduction to Ruby Programming" repository! This guide aims to provide a beginner-friendly introduction to the Ruby programming language. Whether you are new to programming or exploring a new language, this repository is a great place to start.
- What is Ruby?
- Data Types in Ruby
- Advantages and Disadvantages
- Installing Ruby on Windows
- Additional Resources
Ruby is a dynamic, object-oriented, and high-level programming language known for its simplicity and readability. It was created by Yukihiro "Matz" Matsumoto in the mid-1990s with a focus on productivity and developer happiness. Ruby is widely used for web development, scripting, and automation.
Key features of Ruby:
- Elegant Syntax: Ruby's syntax is easy to read and write, making it a favorite among developers.
- Dynamic Typing: Variables don't require explicit type declarations.
- Object-Oriented: Everything in Ruby is an object.
- Rich Standard Library: Ruby comes with a vast collection of built-in libraries.
Ruby supports a variety of data types, including:
- Integers: Whole numbers like 1, 42, -7.
- Floats: Decimal numbers like 3.14, -0.5.
- Strings: Text data enclosed in single or double quotes, e.g., "Hello, Ruby!"
- Booleans: Represented as
true
orfalse
. - Arrays: Ordered collections of elements.
- Hashes: Key-value pairs.
- Symbols: Lightweight strings, often used as identifiers.
- Nil: Represents the absence of a value.
- Readability: Ruby's elegant syntax and human-readable code make it easy to learn and understand.
- Productivity: Rapid development is possible due to concise code and a rich set of libraries.
- Community: A vibrant and supportive community, contributing to gems and resources.
- Flexibility: Ruby's dynamic nature allows for dynamic programming, metaprogramming, and more.
- Performance: Ruby can be slower compared to some other languages.
- Concurrency: Traditional Ruby (MRI) has limitations in handling concurrent tasks.
- Learning Curve: While it's easy to start with, mastering advanced topics may take time.
To get started with Ruby on a Windows system, follow these steps:
-
Download Ruby Installer: Visit the official RubyInstaller website and download the latest version.
-
Run the Installer: Run the downloaded installer, and follow the on-screen instructions. Make sure to check the box that says "Add Ruby executables to your PATH."
-
Verify Installation: Open a command prompt or PowerShell and type the following command to verify your Ruby installation:
ruby -v
- Ruby Official Website: The official Ruby programming language website.
- Ruby Documentation: Official Ruby documentation with guides and references.
- Ruby on Rails: If you are interested in web development, check out Ruby on Rails, a popular web framework built on Ruby.