Ruby (Programming Language) Definition
Ruby is a high-level, open-source programming language that was designed for simplicity and productivity. It is a dynamic, object-oriented programming language with a focus on elegance and readability.
Ruby (Programming Language) Key Points
- Ruby was created by Yukihiro “Matz” Matsumoto and first released in 1995.
- The language is built on a balance of functional and imperative programming and it’s often compared to Python and Perl.
- Ruby is used widely for web development, and it’s the foundation of the popular Ruby on Rails framework.
- Ruby supports multiple programming paradigms, including procedural, object-oriented, and functional programming.
What is Ruby (Programming Language)?
Ruby was born as a blend of Perl, Smalltalk, Eiffel, Ada, and Lisp, with a higher level of flexibility for the programmer. Its creator Yukihiro Matsumoto wanted to make a language that makes programmers happy, with an intuitive and concise code structure. The language emphasizes the need for software to be understandable by humans first, and computers second.
Why is Ruby (Programming Language) Important?
Ruby is important because of its use in web development and its friendliness to beginners. It’s a very high-level language, which means it abstracts away most of the complex details of the machine. It is a dynamic language and has automatic memory management and a dynamic type system, making it ideal for quick prototyping and ad-hoc programming tasks.
When to Use Ruby (Programming Language)?
Ruby is typically used when developing web applications, particularly when using the Ruby on Rails framework. It can also be used for scripting, creating domain-specific languages, and for big data analysis. However, it’s noted that Ruby can be slower than other languages like C++ or Java, making it less ideal for tasks that require high performance.
Who Uses the Ruby (Programming Language)?
Ruby is used by developers and organizations all over the world. Well-known companies like Twitter, Airbnb, Bloomberg, Shopify, and many others initially built their platforms using Ruby on Rails. Many startups and tech companies also use Ruby because of its simplicity and readability, which can decrease the amount of time required to build and launch a web application.
How to Use Ruby (Programming Language)?
Ruby’s syntax is intuitive and flexible, usually requiring less code to accomplish the same tasks than other languages. It is generally easy to learn and can be downloaded for free for any operating system. After installing Ruby, you can execute Ruby code directly from the command line, or create and execute script files. Online tutorials, community-led initiatives, and resources like “Why’s (Poignant) Guide to Ruby” provide a fun and creative way to learn Ruby.
