In this course, you will learn the basics of Ruby programming, including variables, data types, control structures, and methods. You will also explore object-oriented programming concepts such as classes and objects. By the end of the course, you will have a solid foundation in Ruby and will be able to write your own programs and scripts.
What is Ruby?
Ruby is a dynamic, object-oriented programming language that is known for its simplicity and flexibility. Developed in the mid-1990s by Yukihiro Matsumoto, Ruby has gained popularity among developers for its elegant syntax and readability. It is commonly used for web development, server-side scripting, and automation tasks.
Don't worry if some terms seem incomprehensible to you. You will get to know them better in the next lessons.
Ruby Key Features
Simple Syntax-Ruby's syntax is designed to be easy to read and write. It borrows elements from several other languages, resulting in a language that feels natural and expressive.
Object-Oriented-Everything in Ruby is an object, including numbers, strings, and even classes. This object-oriented approach allows for elegant and powerful code organization and abstraction.
Dynamic Typing-Ruby is dynamically typed, meaning you don't need to declare the type of a variable when you create it. Types are determined at runtime, which provides flexibility but also requires careful attention to type safety.
Garbage Collection-Ruby has built-in garbage collection, which automatically manages memory allocation and deallocation. This helps developers focus on writing code rather than worrying about memory management.
Metaprogramming-Ruby offers powerful metaprogramming capabilities, allowing developers to write code that can modify its own structure and behavior at runtime. This feature enables advanced techniques like defining new methods and modifying classes on the fly.
Libraries and Frameworks-Ruby has a rich ecosystem of libraries and frameworks, including Ruby on Rails for web development, RSpec for testing, and Sinatra for building web applications. These tools help streamline development and make it easy to build complex applications.