Beginning Rails is the practical starting point for anyone wanting to learn how to build dynamic web applications using the Rails framework for Ruby. You’ll learn how all of the components of Rails fit together and how you can leverage them to create sophisticated web applications with less code and more joy.
This book is particularly well suited to those with little or no experience with web application development, or who have some experience but are new to Rails. Beginning Rails assumes basic familiarity with web terms and technologies, but doesn't require you to be an expert.
Topics include:
A gentle introduction to the Ruby programming language
Installing Ruby and Rails on a Mac, Linux, or Windows system
The philosophy behind Rails and why it matters
The Model-View-Controller architecture
The basics of relational databases and SQL
Setting up a MySQL database and creating a schema with migrations
Experimenting with your live application in the Rails console
Creating rich relationships between your models
Using controllers and templates properly
Leveraging helpers to keep your templates clean and logic free
Adding Ajax and visual effects to enrich your user interfaces
JavaScript with Prototype and script.aculo.us
How to send and receive mail from your application
Using and creating your own plug-ins
Ensuring your code against Murphy’s Law through writing tests
Using Capistrano to deploy your application
Rather than delving into the arcane details of Rails, the focus is on the aspects of the framework that will become your pick, shovel, and axe. Part history lesson, part introduction to object-oriented programming, and part dissertation on open source software, Beginning Rails doesn’t just explain how to do something in Rails, it explains why.
Every programmer fondly remembers the book that helped them get started. The goal of Beginning Rails is to become that book for you, today.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - This book is not enough
I was looking for a way to make websites faster, and Ruby on Rails is it. However, this book is not the best to get you off the ground. The whole second chapter is on getting set up, yet there was not enough good information there to get you set up on Windows, Mac or Ubuntu. I have all three, and tried and failed on all three. I spent a lot of time working with Google, as the book assumes too much.
The other issue I have is that the book is geared towards MySQL, which is fine, I use ... Read More
Rating: - Good High-level Intro to rails -- Pooooor editing
I just finished going through the book and I agree with other reviewers that the editing of this book is horrible... The best way to deal with it is to ensure you review the books errata site ([...]) and mark the pages they show as having errors, Glitches, & typos. Doing this to begin with will save you a couple hours of problem solving.
If you're a newbie to programming i wouldn't recommend this book because:
- # of editing errors will frustrate you and possibly leave you ... Read More
Rating: - buggy, unimpressive
I'm a couple of chapters in and am pretty disappointed. The set up guide doesn't work for Windows XP and there are several errors in code and commands. Thus far, I have spent more time googling how to do what the examples are suggesting than reading the book. Further, the author has spent a decent about of time talking about the philosophies and views of Ruby on Rails, but offer little explanation, examples, or insight. I'd recommend passing on this book.
Rating: - A great introduction/overview of Rails
I recently got a copy of Beginning Rails. I was quite interested to check it out and it turned out that I liked it a lot. This isn't my only book on Rails, but this one had a unique approach and some good offerings. While other Rails books have you building applications in 2 chapters, they don't really explain what is going on, you just type the commands listed on the page. This is where Beginning Rails shines. The authors do walk you through building an application about events and planning (something ... Read More
Rating: - Not the best book for learning Rails
This book is a hodgepodge of good and bad.
The author is knowledgeable, but the examples bounce around all over the place. That was really frustrating. There are several errors in the code examples, but the book online errata has most of them covered.
But, it's rather dry. Rails is fun to develop with, but I'm sorry to say you won't necessary get that from this book. I would probably recommend Rails Solutions by Justin Williams as a great beginner book (although it doesn't have an errata ... Read More
- This book is not enough
- Good High-level Intro to rails -- Pooooor editing
- A great introduction/overview of Rails
