This document provides an overview and introduction to learning Ruby. It discusses the sponsors of the Learn Ruby 2011 session, why Ruby is a good language to learn, how to install Ruby on different operating systems, common Ruby tools like IRB and gems, and playing around with basic Ruby code in IRB. Attendees are encouraged to explore Ruby documentation and play with IRB before the next session.

1. Learn Ruby 2011
Session 1

2. Our Sponsors
Flatsourcing, iSeatz, Koda, and Launchpad

3. Welcome
Ready to learn Ruby?

4. Why Are We Here?
More to the point, why are you here?

5. Why Learn Ruby?
Other than the obvious street cred

6. Features

7. Features
• REALLY Object-Oriented

8. Features
• REALLY Object-Oriented
• Clean & Readable Syntax

9. Features
• REALLY Object-Oriented
• Clean & Readable Syntax
• “Funner” To Program

10. Features
• REALLY Object-Oriented
• Clean & Readable Syntax
• “Funner” To Program
• Ruby on Rails

11. So, Why Ruby & You?
Really, why do you want to learn Ruby?

12. Installing Ruby
Windows, Linux or Mac

16. The Ruby Toolbox

17. ruby
The actual interpreter

18. ri
Ruby Interactive Documentation

19. rdoc
Ruby Documentation Generator

20. irb
Interactive Ruby Environment

21. Ruby Gems
Ruby Package Management

22. Playing Around
This is what IRB is for

24. $ irb

25. $ irb
> puts “Hello, World!”

26. $ irb
> puts “Hello, World!”
Hello, World!
=> nil

28. > “Hello, World!”.class

29. > “Hello, World!”.class
=> String

31. > 2.class

32. > 2.class
=> Fixnum

34. > Fixnum.class

35. > Fixnum.class
=> Class

37. > nil.class

38. > nil.class
=> NilClass

40. > 5.times { puts “Hello!” }

41. > 5.times { puts “Hello!” }
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
=> 5

42. Resources

43. Resources
• rubydoc.info

44. Resources
• rubydoc.info
• rubygems.org

45. Resources
• rubydoc.info
• rubygems.org
• ruby-toolbox.com

46. For Next Week

47. For Next Week
• Play around in IRB

48. For Next Week
• Play around in IRB
• Explore rubydoc.info, especially the Stdlib
section