Learning Rails (Paperback)

~ (Author), Edd Dumbill (Author)
Key Phrases: creating routes, test database, classifying users, Instant Rails, Test Your Knowledge Quiz, Presenting Models (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

While most books written about Rails cater to programmers looking for information on data structures, "Learning Rails" targets web developers whose programming experience is tied directly to the Web. Rather than begin with the inner layers of a Rails web application--the models and controllers--this unique book approaches Rails development from the outer layer: the application interface. You'll learn how to create something visible with Rails before reaching the more difficult database models and controller code. With "Learning Rails," you can start from the foundations of web design you already know, and then move more deeply into Ruby, objects, and database structures. This book will help you: Present web content by building an application with a basic view and a simple controller, while learning Ruby along the way Build forms and process their results, progressing from the simple to the more complex Connect forms to models by setting up a database, and use Rails' ActiveRecord to create code that maps to database structures Use Rails scaffolding to build applications from a view-centric perspective Add common web application elements such as sessions, cookies, and authentication Build applications that combine data from multiple tables Create simple but dynamic interfaces with Rails and Ajax

Once you complete "Learning Rails," you'll be comfortable working with the Rails web framework, and you'll be well on your way to becoming a Rails guru.

About the Author

Simon St. Laurent resides in Greensboro, NC. and is currently eimployed by Systems Intergation and Support Services, Inc.

Dumbill is the managing editor of XML.com. He is a software developer, as well as a writer.

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Product Details Paperback: 417 pages Publisher: O'Reilly Media; 1 edition (November 1, 2008) Language: English ISBN-10: 0596518773 ISBN-13: 978-0596518776 Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.8 x 0.9 inches Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #36,013 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in these categories: (What's this?) #59 in  Books > Computers & Internet > Programming > Software Design, Testing & Engineering > Object-Oriented Design #62 in  Books > Computers & Internet > Web Development > Web Services This item is part of The O'Reilly Learning Series.

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Inside This Book (learn more)

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
creating routes, test database, classifying users, unit testing, value being validated, gear menu, nested resource, award object, helper methods, email method, form builders, migration file, certificate method, controller method, connecting students, roll method, named routes

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Instant Rails, Test Your Knowledge Quiz, Presenting Models, Accelerating Development, Getting Started, Developing Model Relationships, Controlling Data Flow, Strengthening Models, Starting Up Ruby, Creating Dynamic Interfaces, Jules Miller, Deploying Rails Applications, Cattle Rustling, Don't Repeat Yourself, Managing Enrollment, Managing Databases, Immoral Aesthetics, Back Done, Standardizing Your Look, United States of America, Nesting Awards, Giles Boschwick, Mathematical Opera, While Rails, Controlling Sessions

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	64% buy the item featured on this page: Learning Rails 4.8 out of 5 stars (8) $23.09
	12% buy The Ruby Programming Language 5.0 out of 5 stars (28) $26.39
	10% buy Agile Web Development with Rails, Third Edition 3.9 out of 5 stars (14)
	7% buy Beginning Ruby: From Novice to Professional, Second Edition 4.9 out of 5 stars (30) $26.39

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8 Reviews 5 star:  (6) 4 star:  (2) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.8 out of 5 stars (8 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 3 of 3 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars One of the better places to start with Rails ..., January 7, 2009 By  grantmichaels "grantmichaels" (sarasota, fl) - See all my reviews I am reading this book at present, and agree w/ the "shelleyp" review completely. If you want to get started w/ Rails, this book is an excellent choice, even more so if you are already familiar with HTML/CSS. I also think it's great that they suggest using Heroku, which is a great way to get started w/ Rails! While all of that is true, however, I can't help but suggest that new-to-Ruby coders look at Sinatra while they are learning Ruby, and grow their apps to Rails via their Rack commonality. Rails is great, but I think it is over-kill and at once overly complicated for the scope of the applications that many new developers are making while getting started. That being said, this is a phenomenal choice for getting started with Rails, and a refreshingly different angle for doing so. 2 of 2 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Great Intro Rails Book, May 28, 2009 By  Nicholas Sardo (LAS VEGAS, NV United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    I have been using Rails for going on two years now, but have a penchant for accumulating books on subjects that interest me. I tore into this book the day that it was delivered, and was not disappointed. Very well written, and informative. I picked up a few kernals here and there from the book ( remember, I'm not a total newbie ), which made it worth the money. If you are not familiar with web development in general, this book alone will not help you. You'll need a basic grasp of the fundamentals: (X)HTML, the general way web development client-side and server-side work, basic data base knowledge. Nothing earth shattering, but none of these things are covered. Though there is a small crash course on the Ruby language, you'd do well to get a beginning book on it as well, for better understanding, though the author does describe what his code does. The book does what it's charter describes well. It can bring you up to speed with the basics of Rails. I liked it, and recommend it. 2 of 2 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Learn To Use Rails!!, March 4, 2009 By  Daniel McKinnon (Tewksbury, MA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)       'Learning Rails' is another great line of the 'Learning' books by OReilly. Packed with 19 chapters over nearly 400 pages, this is the perfect reference for the new Railer looking to learn how to use this exciting new technology for rapid development of web sites. From the basics of what Rails is to to form development to database work to everything else, this is a great book for all Rails developers! ***** RECOMMENDED		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 4.0 out of 5 stars Great, But Watch Out I am almost done with the book and I found it much easier to grok than the Agile Rails book. Its likely because the latter book deal with the shopping cart example (and e-commerce... Read more Published 3 months ago by Rilindo Foster 4.0 out of 5 stars Nice Intro to Rails This book is definitely a very nice introduction to RoR. After having read the whole book I'm going to the classic AWD with Rails 3rd edition. Read more Published 4 months ago by Robin Levin 5.0 out of 5 stars Consider writing the next level text with the same focus I saw this text in a local book-store and browsed through it extensively. I did not buy it since I am a bit beyond the intended target audience for this book, but if I was... Read more Published 7 months ago by Bharat C. Ruparel 5.0 out of 5 stars Rails Demystified! I have been playing with Rails for several weeks, and I was rather confused until I picked up this excellent book. Read more Published 7 months ago by J. Glass 5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and In-Depth Rails Guide During my previous attempts to work with Rails, I would get frustrated because the information I needed either was spread all about, or made some pretty significant assumptions... Read more Published 11 months ago by Shelley R Powers Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 417 pages
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media; 1 edition (November 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0596518773
• ISBN-13: 978-0596518776
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #36,013 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #59 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Programming > Software Design, Testing & Engineering > Object-Oriented Design
  #62 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Web Development > Web Services

• This item is part of The O'Reilly Learning Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the better places to start with Rails ..., January 7, 2009

By	grantmichaels "grantmichaels" (sarasota, fl) - See all my reviews

I am reading this book at present, and agree w/ the "shelleyp" review completely. If you want to get started w/ Rails, this book is an excellent choice, even more so if you are already familiar with HTML/CSS. I also think it's great that they suggest using Heroku, which is a great way to get started w/ Rails!

While all of that is true, however, I can't help but suggest that new-to-Ruby coders look at Sinatra while they are learning Ruby, and grow their apps to Rails via their Rack commonality. Rails is great, but I think it is over-kill and at once overly complicated for the scope of the applications that many new developers are making while getting started. That being said, this is a phenomenal choice for getting started with Rails, and a refreshingly different angle for doing so.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Intro Rails Book, May 28, 2009

By	Nicholas Sardo (LAS VEGAS, NV United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have been using Rails for going on two years now, but have a penchant for accumulating books on subjects that interest me. I tore into this book the day that it was delivered, and was not disappointed. Very well written, and informative. I picked up a few kernals here and there from the book ( remember, I'm not a total newbie ), which made it worth the money.

If you are not familiar with web development in general, this book alone will not help you. You'll need a basic grasp of the fundamentals: (X)HTML, the general way web development client-side and server-side work, basic data base knowledge. Nothing earth shattering, but none of these things are covered. Though there is a small crash course on the Ruby language, you'd do well to get a beginning book on it as well, for better understanding, though the author does describe what his code does.

The book does what it's charter describes well. It can bring you up to speed with the basics of Rails. I liked it, and recommend it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learn To Use Rails!!, March 4, 2009

By	Daniel McKinnon (Tewksbury, MA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

'Learning Rails' is another great line of the 'Learning' books by OReilly. Packed with 19 chapters over nearly 400 pages, this is the perfect reference for the new Railer looking to learn how to use this exciting new technology for rapid development of web sites. From the basics of what Rails is to to form development to database work to everything else, this is a great book for all Rails developers!

***** RECOMMENDED