Ruby on Rails® Bible

Introduction

In 2006, I wrote a book called the Java Phrasebook, something like a cookbook for Java. While I was writing that, my interest and love of Ruby and the Rails framework grew tremendously. Often during my writing, I would think how much nicer it would be to be writing a Ruby- or Rails-related book. Early in 2007, I had to pass up my first opportunity to step into the world of Ruby and Rails writing. The book that I was asked to write at the time, Professional Ruby on Rails, has since been written by a very capable writer, Noel Rappin, who also contributed content to this book.

Jump ahead a few months, and the opportunity to write this book, Ruby on Rails Bible, came along. I knew it would be a tight fit working on this book along with a full-time job and the holidays coming up, especially having two young children, but I took it! That is how you ended up holding this book now.

Like many who consider themselves users and, more importantly, fans of the Ruby language, I was pulled into the world of Ruby by the Rails framework. Prior to Rails, I had heard of Ruby but had not used it. I first became aware of it through the writing and speaking of Dave Thomas, a tireless advocate of Ruby well before Rails made it a marketable skill. Ruby had been around for quite awhile before Rails but had not been able to grab the attention of the masses here in the United States. Rails has not only brought Ruby to the masses, but it has had a tremendous influence on the entire Web development ...