Introduction to Ruby

Taught by Alex Chaffee

these slides are available at http://codelikethis.com/lessons

Test-First Teaching

• We use tests to check for code correctness
• We use tests to define the task to implement
• We know we're done when the tests pass

Conceived by Sarah Allen and Alex Chaffee

Let's get started

Install Ruby, e.g.

http://installfest.railsbridge.org

then open a terminal window and type this:

git clone https://github.com/alexch/learn_ruby.git

cd learn_ruby

then open index.html in a browser

Very Important Tips!

Arrange Your Windows

• Keep your console window open
• Make your console window REALLY TALL
• Don't overlap your windows

READ THE ERROR

• This is actually very difficult to do consistently and accurately
• When you get an error, SCROLL UP and read down STARTING from where YOU HIT RETURN
• It's not all incomprehensible gibberish -- the computer is trying to tell you something, and it's your job to decipher it