Ruby is a popular, general-purpose, open-source programming language that was first released to the public in 1995. It is an object-oriented language and its syntax is designed to be intuitive and easy to read and write. Ruby has been used for web applications, data analysis, system automation, prototyping, and more.
Ruby has been gaining popularity in recent years due to its flexibility and ease of use compared to many other languages. It also offers fast development times due to its rich libraries of gems that can be quickly integrated into projects.
Additionally, it’s supported by an active community who are always willing to provide help with any issues or questions you may have about the language itself or your project.
Learning to program in Ruby can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it is important to have the right resources at your disposal.
The best books to learn Ruby provide clear step-by-step instructions that help readers understand how each part of the language works. From basic syntax rules and practical examples, these books make learning Ruby easier than ever before.
Here are some of the top picks for readers who want to learn about Ruby
Learn Ruby on Rails by Daniel Kehoe
Ruby on Rails is one of the most popular programming languages for web development. For those looking to learn Ruby on Rails, Daniel Kehoe’s book is an excellent resource.
This book provides a comprehensive overview of the basics and fundamentals of Ruby on Rails and related technologies. Through this guide, readers will gain an understanding of how to use the language as well as how to create dynamic websites and applications.
The book starts off with a brief introduction to Ruby before delving into more advanced topics such as object-oriented programming, databases, web applications, testing, deployment, and more.
In addition, there are numerous examples that demonstrate real-world usage scenarios which can help readers understand the concepts better. Furthermore, Daniel Kehoe explains complex topics in simple terms with easy-to-follow instructions which makes it ideal for those who are just starting out in learning the language.
The Well-Grounded Rubyist by David A. Black
The Well-Grounded Rubyist by David A. Black is an essential guide for anyone interested in learning the Ruby programming language. This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the language and its development environment, as well as its popular frameworks and libraries.
This book offers in-depth knowledge on all aspects of Ruby, from basic concepts to advanced topics such as object-oriented programming, web development with Rails and testing with RSpec. It also includes tutorials on metadata and dynamic typing, which are essential for anyone who wants to become a master at coding in Ruby.
For those who are new to programming or want to develop their existing Ruby skills further, this book offers clear explanations of core ideas that are easily accessible regardless of experience level. Written in an engaging style with plenty of examples and exercises to help solidify concepts presented throughout the text, this book is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to become a well-grounded Rubyist.
Beginning Ruby by Peter Cooper
Peter Cooper’s book, Beginning Ruby, is a must-have for anyone looking to learn the essentials of the Ruby programming language. This comprehensive guide covers all the basics of programming with Ruby in an easy-to-understand format.
Cooper begins by introducing readers to the syntax and functions of the language. He then explains how to apply those concepts in practical applications like web application development and database management.
Throughout each chapter, he encourages readers with interactive exercises and quizzes that help reinforce concepts quickly and easily.
The latter half of Beginning Ruby dives into more advanced topics like object-oriented programming (OOP), metaprogramming, testing frameworks, debugging techniques, network programming, and more.
Cooper also provides detailed coverage on popular libraries such as Rails and Sinatra that can be used when creating web applications with Ruby.
Head First Ruby by Jay McGavren
Head First Ruby by Jay McGavren is the perfect guide for developers looking to learn the powerful and popular programming language.
With an emphasis on a fun, interactive learning experience, this book takes readers through the basics of Ruby in an easy-to-follow format. Through a combination of visual examples and exercises, readers are able to easily grasp concepts such as classes, objects, and methods.
The book also covers more advanced topics such as Rails application development and how to leverage various libraries to get more out of your code.
McGavren’s approach allows those new to the language to take their first steps into writing effective code without feeling overwhelmed or frustrated.
Additionally, seasoned developers will benefit from his detailed explanations of different techniques which can be used with Ruby.
Intro To Ruby Programming by John Elder
In his book, Intro To Ruby Programming, John Elder, is an essential read for any aspiring programmer. This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the popular programming language Ruby, providing readers with both basic and advanced instruction on the fundamentals of coding in this powerful language.
Through easy-to-follow examples, Elder’s guide demonstrates how to create robust programs and applications using object-oriented design principles. With detailed explanations and clear solutions to common coding challenges, this book serves as a valuable resource for developers of all skill levels.
The clear writing style makes it accessible to novice developers while still offering more experienced coders deeper insights into the structure of the programming language itself.
With hands-on practical exercises throughout each chapter, readers will be able to quickly learn and apply core concepts in Ruby programming without having to spend hours researching online or mastering difficult syntax.
Agile Web Development with Rails 6 by Sam Ruby, David Copeland, Dave Thomas
Agile Web Development with Rails 6 by Sam Ruby, David Copeland and Dave Thomas is a comprehensive guide to the latest version of the popular web development framework.
This well-crafted book is perfect for any developer looking to get up and running quickly with Rails 6. It walks readers through all aspects of creating high-performance applications, from setting up an environment and writing code to deploying applications into production.
The authors have bundled together years of expertise in this one volume, making it easy for developers at any level to start building dynamic web apps with Rails 6 quickly.
Using hands-on examples, they walk readers through the installation process and then move on to topics such as routing requests and developing controllers, models, and views.
They also cover advanced concepts like caching performance optimization techniques that help make your application faster and more efficient.
Practical Object-Oriented Design in Ruby by Sandi Metz
Object Oriented Design in Ruby by Sandi Metz is a comprehensive guide to crafting better software through the use of object-oriented design principles.
The book provides an extensive explanation of metaprogramming and how it can be utilized to write more powerful, elegant code that is easier to maintain.
Metz covers everything from basic principles like encapsulation, inheritance, and class hierarchies, to advanced topics such as creating dynamic methods with method_missing and implementing patterns like the Observer pattern.
The book draws heavily on the classic Gang of Four’s Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software book for its content, but presents it in a way that makes it accessible for those new to object-oriented programming.
Metz goes beyond merely describing concepts; she provides practical advice on how best to design and implement these techniques within Ruby projects.
Ruby Cookbook by Lucas Carlson, Leonard Richardson
Ruby Cookbook by Lucas Carlson and Leonard Richardson is an excellent resource for developers of all backgrounds. This book offers easy-to-follow recipes that provide solutions to common object-oriented programming problems.
It covers topics such as data structures, classes, modules, iterators, and more. For those looking to learn about the basics of programming with Ruby or deepen their current knowledge base in the language, this book presents a comprehensive guide on how to do so.
Each recipe contains a problem statement followed by technical details that explain how to solve it using Ruby’s features and libraries. Numerous examples are provided throughout the text which helps illustrate concepts in action and show readers the most efficient ways of approaching coding tasks.
Ruby For Beginners by iCode Academy, Ruby Programming
For beginners, the iCode Academy Ruby Programming Book is an excellent resource for learning Ruby programming in 7 days. This step-by-step guide offers detailed instructions on how to use the fundamentals of the language, such as basic data types, objects, methods, classes, and modules.
It also covers object-oriented programming concepts like inheritance and polymorphism. With plenty of example code snippets included throughout the book, you’ll get a good understanding of what each concept does and how it can be used in practice. In addition, you’ll find tips for debugging your code and using popular frameworks like Rails or Sinatra.
Ruby Pocket Reference by Michael James Fitzgerald
The Ruby Pocket Reference by Michael James Fitzgerald is an essential guide for any aspiring Ruby programmer. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the language and its many functions, allowing readers to quickly get up to speed and start coding in no time.
This pocket reference makes it easy to find the answers you need without having to search through long manuals or tutorials. It covers everything from basic concepts such as variables and data types all the way up to more advanced topics like object-oriented programming and web development frameworks.
Whether you’re just starting out with Ruby or are looking for a convenient resource for brushing up on your skills, this pocket reference will have you coding with confidence in no time.
With its clear explanations, real-world examples, and helpful illustrations, this book serves as both an introductory guide for beginners as well as a quick reference for experienced veterans.
Ruby by Robert Dwight
Robert Dwight’s book, “Ruby: Learn Ruby in 24 Hours or Less – A Beginner’s Guide To Learning Ruby Programming Now”, anyone can now learn this powerful language quickly and easily.
This comprehensive guide starts with the basics of programming and covers essential topics such as variables, classes, methods, strings, arrays, and hashes. It also includes step-by-step instructions for setting up a development environment and writing simple programs with Ruby.
With clear explanations on how to use basic features of the language like conditionals, loops, and functions plus tips on debugging your code and using libraries for more advanced projects, this book is an invaluable resource for any aspiring Ruby programmer.
The Rails 5 Way by Obie Fernandez
As a leading authority on the Rails framework, Obie Fernandez has been helping developers create web applications with Ruby on Rails since 2005.
His book, “The Rails 5 Way”, is an in-depth guide to building high-quality apps using the newest version of the popular open-source web application framework.
In this comprehensive volume, Fernandez introduces readers to cutting-edge tools and techniques for taking advantage of all that Rails 5 has to offer.
He provides detailed insights into complex topics such as the Model-View-Controller pattern and Action Cable, plus practical advice on optimizing development workflow and streamlining deployment processes.
With examples from real-world projects throughout each chapter, “The Rails 5 Way” is perfect for experienced developers looking to master their skills or newcomers searching for a complete introduction to effective app development with Ruby on Rails.
The Ruby Programming Language by David Flanagan, Yukihiro Matsumoto
For those looking to learn more about the language and become master programmers, David Flanagan and Yukihiro Matsumoto’s book The Ruby Programming Language.
This comprehensive book covers all aspects of Ruby programming from installation through advanced topics such as developing GUI applications with Tk and writing multithreaded programs.
It also provides detailed information on built-in classes such as arrays, strings, hashes, regular expressions, blocks, and ranges—as well as tips for debugging programs in real-time. It even comes with a sample code that you can use for your own projects!
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