Programming Ruby 1.9: The Pragmatic Programmers' Guide (Facets of Ruby) [Paperback]

Dave Thomas (Author), Chad Fowler (Author), Andy Hunt (Author)

Book Description

Series: Facets of Ruby | Publication Date: April 28, 2009

Ruby is a fully object-oriented language, much like the classic object-oriented language, Smalltalk. Like Smalltalk, it is dynamically typed (as opposed to Java or C++), but unlike Smalltalk, Ruby features the same conveniences found in modern scripting languages, making Ruby a favorite tool of intelligent, forward-thinking programmers and the basis for the Rails web framework.

This is the reference manual for Ruby, including a description of all the standard library modules, a complete reference to all built-in classes and modules (including all the new and changed methods introduced by Ruby 1.9). It also includes all the new and changed syntax and semantics introduced since Ruby 1.8. Learn about the new parameter passing rules, local variable scoping in blocks, fibers, multinationalization, and the new block declaration syntax, among other exciting new features.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dave Thomas, as one of the authors of the Agile Manifesto, understands agility. As the author of "Programming Ruby," he understands Ruby. And, as an active Rails developer, he knows Rails.

Chad Fowler is an internationally known software developer, trainer, manager, speaker, and musician. Over the past decade he has worked with some of the world's largest companies and most admired software developers.

Chad is VP of Engineering at LivingSocial. He is co-organizer of RubyConf and RailsConf and author or co-author of a number of popular software books, including The Passionate Programmer: Creating a Remarkable Career in Software Development.

Andy Hunt is a programmer turned consultant, author and publisher. He co-authored the best-selling book "The Pragmatic Programmer", was one of the 17 founders of the Agile Alliance, and co-founded the Pragmatic Bookshelf, publishing award-winning and critically acclaimed books for software developers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 1000 pages
• Publisher: Pragmatic Bookshelf; 3rd edition (April 28, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1934356085
• ISBN-13: 978-1934356081
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 8.9 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #52,418 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #99 in Books > Computers & Technology > Web Development > Programming

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Packed with detail yet very approachable and easy to read, April 1, 2011

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Stephen Huston (Franklin, MA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Programming Ruby 1.9: The Pragmatic Programmers' Guide (Facets of Ruby) (Paperback)

I'm coming at this as a Ruby beginner but experienced software developer. The book really got me up and working with Ruby very quickly. It's great for easily finding topics to explain code I'm reading and does a great job of explaining how features work that I'm new to (I'm coming mostly from C++ and am blown away by what Ruby can do!)

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is "the" book for learning Ruby 1.9, October 28, 2011

By 

Jarrod H. Roberson "Jarrod Roberson" (Atlanta, Georgia USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Programming Ruby 1.9: The Pragmatic Programmers' Guide (Facets of Ruby) (Paperback)

I asked a very close trusted friend for a recommendation on a Ruby book, if I could only have one book which one should I get. His response was "The Pick Axe Book".

He was 100% correct. I already know, Java, C, C++, Python, Erlang, Bash and all the Microsoft languages. This book was perfect, it told me what I needed to know without being too introductory and patronizing and without being overly assumptive that I already knew what they were explaining.

If you can only have one Ruby book, get this one!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Require book for anyone who wants to start programming Ruby, January 13, 2011

By 

Marcelo Olivas (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Programming Ruby 1.9: The Pragmatic Programmers' Guide (Facets of Ruby) (Paperback)

Michael Feathers once tweeted, "Pair a good Java programmer with a good Ruby programmer and the Java programmer will start programming Ruby in a week", after I read this book, it makes total sense now. I've been programming Java for more than 10 years. I have bought some Ruby on Rails books, but there were some gaps that I needed to fill regarding the Ruby language. This book filled some of the gaps I had, along with examples. For example, I wanted to know how Ruby handles multithreading in its new Ruby 1.9.2 and its previous releases. The book explained with detail exampled. Good work guys!