I recently just finished my Nanodegree from Udacity, but I wanted to keep busy so I am learning Ruby. I am not sure if I want to go all in on Ruby or just want some exposure to it.
They say you learn the best, when you teach what you've learn. Every week, I will "teach" through blog posts to not only help someone else, but also reiterate what I'm learning.
I want to teach not only the syntax, but also show the application. One thing I struggled with when learning programming languages, is learning the syntax but not having any clue how to apply this when developing.
Coming from a JavaScript background, I may use JavaScript references to help me also better understand explaining Ruby.
First Things First:
1. What is Ruby?
- According to the Ruby website, it's a: dynamic, open source programming language with a focus on simplicity and productivity. It has an elegant syntax that is natural to read and easy to write
In others words: You can use Ruby like any other general-purpose scripting language
2. What can I build with Ruby?
- Web applications, web servers, system utilities, database work, backups, parsing, even biology and medicine.
3. You may say: "I hear Ruby and Ruby on Rails all the time, what is it? Are they same?
- Ruby is the Programming Language
- Ruby on Rails is a web-application framework that is implemented in Ruby.
In other words: It's what React is to Javascript. React is the framework while Javascript is the programming language.
4. Who uses Ruby?
- AirBnb
- Dev.to
Ruby is happiness, freedom, and fun, all in one, like bubble gum and cotton candy, and unicorns eating candy under a rainbow 🍭 🦄 🌈.
Now seriously. Ruby used to be the "go to" language for startups and freelancers, in the last five years or so has lost a little terrain due to some discussion about it's performance. Nevertheless, Ruby is one of those things that you should learn, cause it will make you a better professional (IMHO).