Tools
TODO
You will have to learn how to use Command-line interface (CLI) since you will be spending a lot of time there. You will be spending a lot of time typing text so picking up a good text editor like Sublime Text or IDE (integrated development environment) like RubyMine will help. You will also be changing the code a lot so learning how to use a version control tool like Git is important. A lot of tools that are mentioned in this book are hosted at GitHub, Git hosting service.
Command-line interface
Command-line interface (CLI) is just another application. It is already installed, whether you are using Windows, Mac or Linux. CLI looks similar and behaves similarly on Mac and Linux, and it it slightly different on Windows.
Windows
On Windows, the application is called Command Prompt. To open it (on Windows 8.1), go to Apps screen (swipe up, or click down arrow at the bottom of the screen) and it should be located in Windows System section.
Command Prompt app on Windows 8.1 Apps screen
You can also search for it.
Searching for Command Prompt app on Windows 8.1
I could not find a keyboard shortcut to open Command Prompt.
By default, when you open Command Prompt, text similar to this will be displayed:
1 Microsoft Windows [Version 6.3.9600]
2 (c) 2013 Microsoft Corporation. All rights
3 reserved.
4
5 C:\Users\IEUser>
Command Prompt app on Windows 8.1
You can ignore the first two lines. The last line, C:\Users\IEUser> is important. It is called command prompt (or just prompt). C:\Users\IEUser part is the folder where Command Prompt commands will be executed, also called path. IEUser is the name of the current user. The last character, >, separates path from the text that you will enter. Since both Mac and Linux use $ as separator, this book will use that character. In short, if an instruction in the book says you should run a Ruby file with this command:
1 $ ruby file_name.rb
Your screen should look similar to this:
1 Microsoft Windows [Version 6.3.9600]
2 (c) 2013 Microsoft Corporation. All rights
3 reserved.
4
5 C:\Users\IEUser>ruby file_name.rb
Mac
On Mac, CLI application is called Terminal.app and you can find it in /Applications/Utilities folder.
Terminal.app in Finder
A quick way to open it is by using built in Spotlight search. Press cmd + space or click magnifying icon and Spotlight will open.
Spotlight
Start typing terminal and you should see Terminal in search results.
Terminal app in Spotlight
I could not find a keyboard shortcut to open Terminal.
When you open Terminal, text similar to this will be displayed:
1 Last login: Thu Feb 27 16:11:16 on ttys002
2 imac:~ z$
Terminal app on Mac
You can ignore the first line. The second line contains several things. imac is machine name, ~ is the folder where Terminal commands will be executed, also called path. ~ is shortcut for /Users/z. z is the name of the current user. The last character, $, separates path from the text that you will enter. If an instruction in the book says you should run a Ruby file with this command:
1 $ ruby file_name.rb
Your screen should look similar to this:
1 Last login: Thu Feb 27 16:11:16 on ttys002
2 imac:~ z$ ruby file_name.rb
Ubuntu Linux
On Ubuntu Linux, the application is called GNOME Terminal. You can open it with keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + T.
Terminal app on Ubuntu Linux
Alternatively, search for terminal and you should find it.
Terminal app in Ubuntu search
When you open Terminal, text similar to this will be displayed:
1 z@ubuntu1310:~$
Text contains several things. z is the name of the current user, ubuntu1310 is machine name, ~ is the folder where Terminal commands will be executed, also called path. It is shortcut for /home/z. (Again, z is user name of the current user.) The last character, $, separates path from the text that you will enter. If an instruction in the book says you should run a Ruby file with this command:
1 $ ruby file_name.rb
Your screen should look similar to this:
1 z@ubuntu1310:~$ ruby file_name.rb