Appendix 4Ruby Runtimes
Ruby code is converted to executable code using an interpreter. The current default interpreter is called YARV (Yet Another Ruby VM) and has been the standard since Ruby 1.9, replacing the original interpreter, which was known as CRuby or MRI (Matz’s Ruby Interpreter). You’ll actually still see the names CRuby and MRI used interchangeably with YARV for the current version of the interpreter.
The interpreter makes dozens of choices about how to convert Ruby code to machine code, such as how to store objects, associate objects with their methods, and so on. Each of these choices has implications for the runtime performance of Ruby.
Not all uses of Ruby are equal. A one-off script could be optimized for a quick startup ...
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