Ruby for Java Developers
This session introduces Ruby, aimed specifically at Java developers.
Why would any self-respecting Java developer care about Ruby? And why does everyone keep talking about it? This session answers these questions and more. Ruby is a very expressive, powerful general purpose language that keeps gathering raves from industry luminaries. This session introduces Ruby, aimed specifically at Java developers. It covers Ruby syntax and philosophy, showing lots of code along the way. See how a 200 line Java application equates to 20 lines of Ruby code. In addition to syntax, this session shows networking, file I/O, web services, threading, and a host of other topics. The goal of this session isn't to get you to switch from Java. It makes you think about expanding your toolbox and adding Ruby for things that don't need a full-blown Java application. Along the way, the Ruby philosophy will make you Java coding better too.
Key Session Points
- The Ruby Philosophy
- Ruby syntax
- Classes and objects in Ruby
- Closures
- Mixins
- Networking
- Threading
- Test-first coding in Ruby
- Ruby as a scripting language
- Ruby as a web language
About Neal Ford
Neal is Director, Software Architect, and Meme Wrangler at ThoughtWorks, a global IT consultancy with an exclusive focus on end-to-end software development and delivery.
Before joining ThoughtWorks, Neal was the Chief Technology Officer at The DSW Group, Ltd., a nationally recognized training and development firm. Neal has a degree in Computer Science from Georgia State University specializing in languages and compilers and a minor in mathematics specializing in statistical analysis.
He is also the designer and developer of applications, instructional materials, magazine articles, video presentations, and author of 6 books, including the most recent The Productive Programmer. His language proficiencies include Java, C#/.NET, Ruby, Groovy, functional languages, Scheme, Object Pascal, C++, and C. His primary consulting focus is the design and construction of large-scale enterprise applications. Neal has taught on-site classes nationally and internationally to all phases of the military and to many Fortune 500 companies. He is also an internationally acclaimed speaker, having spoken at over 100 developer conferences worldwide, delivering more than 600 talks. If you have an insatiable curiosity about Neal, visit his web site at http://www.nealford.com. He welcomes feedback and can be reached at nford@thoughtworks.com.