If you’re just starting out with Ruby, you might be wondering how to actually run your Ruby scripts. In this blog post, we’ll cover the basics of running a Ruby script, so you can start experimenting with your code and become a Ruby master in no time!
Prerequisites
Before we dive into running Ruby scripts, make sure you have the following installed on your system:
- Ruby: If you haven’t installed Ruby yet, head over to the official Ruby website to download and install the latest version.
- A text editor: You can use any text editor you like to write your Ruby scripts, such as Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, or Atom.
Creating a Ruby Script
To create a Ruby script, simply open your text editor and start writing your code. Save the file with a .rb extension, which tells the system that it’s a Ruby script. For this tutorial, let’s create a simple script that prints “Hello, World!” to the console. Save the file as hello_world.rb and include the following code:
puts "Hello, World!"
Running a Ruby Script
Now that you’ve written your first Ruby script, it’s time to run it! There are different ways to run a Ruby script, depending on your operating system and personal preference. Let’s go through a few methods.
Using the Command Line
The most common way to run a Ruby script is by using the command line. Here’s how it’s done for different operating systems:
Windows
- Open the Command Prompt by pressing Windows + R, typing cmd in the Run dialog, and hitting Enter.
- Navigate to the directory where your Ruby script is located using the cd command. For example, if your script is in the “Documents” folder, type the following command and press Enter:
cd C:UsersYourUsernameDocuments
- Now that you’re in the right directory, run your Ruby script by typing ruby hello_world.rb and pressing Enter. You should see “Hello, World!” printed in the command prompt.
macOS and Linux
- Open the Terminal application. On macOS, you can find it in the Utilities folder within the Applications folder. On Linux, you can usually find it in the Applications menu, under Accessories.
- Navigate to the directory where your Ruby script is located using the cd command. For example, if your script is in the “Documents” folder, type the following command and press Enter:
cd ~/Documents
- Run your Ruby script by typing ruby hello_world.rb and pressing Enter. You should see “Hello, World!” printed in the terminal.
Using an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) or Text Editor
Many integrated development environments (IDEs) and text editors, like Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, and Atom, allow you to run Ruby scripts directly within the application. This can be a more convenient option, especially if you’re already using these tools for writing your code.
To run a Ruby script in your IDE or text editor, look for a “Run” or “Build” command in the application’s menu or toolbar. You may also be able to run the script by right-clicking the file in the project explorer or file tree and selecting “Run” or “Build” from the context menu.
Conclusion
Running a Ruby script is simple, whether you prefer using the command line or an IDE. With the basics covered, you can now focus on honing your Ruby skills and creating more complex scripts. Happy coding!
