I’m new to Ruby on Rails and I’m having trouble finding a good tutorial to get started. I’ve looked online but there are so many options and I’m not sure which one is the best for beginners. Can anyone recommend a comprehensive and easy-to-follow Ruby on Rails tutorial? Your help would be greatly appreciated!
As someone who’s explored quite a few Ruby on Rails tutorials when I started out, I can totally relate to the overwhelming number of options out there. If you’re looking for something specifically tailored for beginners and comprehensive enough to build solid foundations, here are a few suggestions you can consider:
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Michael Hartl’s Ruby on Rails Tutorial: This one is pretty much a classic in the Ruby on Rails community. Michael Hartl does an excellent job of walking you through building a real-world application from scratch. What I love about it is that it doesn’t just teach you the “how” but also the “why” behind Rails conventions and concepts. It’s detailed and, while it might feel a bit dense at times, sticking with it will definitely pay off.
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Codecademy’s Ruby on Rails Course: If you’re someone who prefers interactive, hands-on learning, Codecademy offers a great course. It’s beginner-friendly and includes exercises that let you write code directly in the browser, which is great for immediate practice. However, this might not be as in-depth as Michael Hartl’s tutorial, but it’s a good starting point.
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The Odin Project: This is a free bootcamp-style resource that covers web development from scratch, including Ruby and Rails. The Odin Project provides a comprehensive curriculum that not only teaches you Ruby on Rails but also the associated technologies you’ll need to know, like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Git, and more. It’s a bit more extensive and ideal if you’re looking to get a holistic understanding of web development.
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RailsCasts: Although not a beginner tutorial per se, RailsCasts is a vast library of screencasts by Ryan Bates, covering different aspects of Rails. The episodes are bite-sized and easy to digest. They’re great if you want to dive deeper into specific topics after getting a grip on the basics.
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GoRails: Similar to RailsCasts, GoRails provides screencasts and tutorials focusing on Ruby on Rails. Chris Oliver’s teaching style is quite laid-back and practical. He often addresses real-world problems and provides solutions that can be directly applied to your projects.
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YouTube: Sometimes you gotta love the randomness and variety on YouTube. Channels like Mackenzie Child’s “12 in 12” series where he builds 12 different apps in 12 weeks, or Chris Courses, can sometimes provide surprisingly good content and you can see different styles of coding and problem solving.
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Finally, don’t underestimate the power of documentation: The official Rails Guides are highly valuable. They’re well-written and cover a lot of ground from basic to advanced topics. Pairing official docs with a comprehensive tutorial can give you a very balanced learning experience.
Remember, no one resource might hold all the answers you’re looking for. It’s totally okay to mix it up a bit — start with a structured course and supplement it with videos and documentation as you go along. The key is to keep coding as you learn and not get bogged down by trying to absorb everything at once.
Good luck on your Rails journey! Happy coding!
I’d also recommend giving Udemy a shot. They have several Ruby on Rails courses, and the great thing is that you can see ratings and reviews which helps you to decide. The pricing is variable, but they tend to have frequent sales, so you might be able to snag a course for cheap. One course that many seem to rave about is the “Complete Ruby on Rails Developer Course” by Rob Percival and Mashrur Hossain. It’s comprehensive and is structured in a way that it starts with the basics before delving into more advanced topics. The only downside is that it may be overwhelming if you’re just starting out, but pacing yourself and revisiting certain sections can be really beneficial.
Also, don’t sleep on Pragmatic Studios’ Ruby on Rails course. It’s a bit pricey compared to other resources, but the quality is top-notch. The course begins from the ground up with a practical approach, making sure you understand the foundational concepts and gradually moving to more complex topics. They also offer clear explanations and a well-organized structure, which makes learning smoother. On the downside, it might lack the interactive component you get with platforms like Codecademy or freebootcamps like The Odin Project.
If you’re someone who thrives with reading and following along, the “Agile Web Development with Rails” book might be a fantastic resource. The pros are that it’s super thorough, written by some of the minds behind Rails, and regularly updated. However, it does assume some prior programming knowledge which can make it a bit tough for absolute beginners. This is where you might find a little conflict with byteguru’s recommendation to start directly with that level of depth.
On the flip side, Treehouse offers a Ruby on Rails Development Track that’s pretty beginner-friendly. Treehouse provides a subscription-based service, and while it isn’t free, their videos are well-structured, and the platform offers a more guided experience with quizzes and interactive labs. The downside - their content library might not be as extensive as some other options, and the learning pace might feel slower for some.
A very under-the-radar and communal approach can be joining Meetup.com Ruby on Rails groups. Sometimes, learning along with a community can be extremely helpful. You might find local web development or RoR meetups where experienced developers can provide guidance, answer questions, and offer support.
Then there’s Coursera and edX, which, much like Udemy, offer courses from universities. They’re often very high-quality, but the courses are typically free to audit with optional paid certificates. Vanderbilt University’s “Web Application Architectures” on Coursera ties in the Ruby on Rails framework, which could provide excellent academic depth. But, you need to be mindful that academic courses sometimes may not be as practice-focused as you’re hoping for.
Using resources like Stack Overflow, r/rails subreddit, and RailsBridge can also provide answers to specific questions, and RailsBridge has a particular focus on getting women and underrepresented groups into tech, which is a plus. However, they’re not as comprehensive as some of the other mentioned tutorials but can be super handy for troubleshooting and getting diverse insights.
For full transparency – none of these resources will be your magic wand. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, and what works for one person might not work for you. Some combination of structured courses, hands-on practice, and community resources is usually the most effective approach. Don’t hesitate to mix and match until you find what resonates with your learning style. Keep your patience, be proactive in your learning journey, and over time, the puzzle pieces will come together.
Lastly, I urge you to check out exercise-based learning platforms like Exercism.io where you can find practical coding challenges specifically focused on Ruby. Not only will this sharpen your Ruby skills, but it will also give you a more active approach to learning compared to passive video watching or reading.
Happy learning and good luck!
I see a lot of solid suggestions here, but I’d like to point out that sometimes going back to the basics can be the best starting point. While the tutorials mentioned are great, you might want to start with the official Ruby language documentation itself. Why? Because understanding Ruby well can make learning Rails much smoother.
Additionally, consider reading the book “Eloquent Ruby” by Russ Olsen. It’s not Rails-specific, but it will give you a good grasp of Ruby, which is vital for any Rails developer. Starting with this book will make transitioning to Rails easier since you’ll have a strong foundation in Ruby itself.
Another point to think about is pairing Rails learning with building small projects. Here’s a simple path:
- Basics with Documentation: Begin with the official Ruby and Rails guides.
- Interactive Learning: Use resources like Codecademy or The Odin Project for structured and interactive learning.
- Build Projects: Start building small, manageable projects that you find interesting.
Remember, building while learning is a fantastic way to solidify your understanding. By the time you’re done, you’ll not only learn how Rails works, but also have a portfolio to show for it.
When it comes to figuring out stuff that tutorials don’t cover, hit up the Rails community on Stack Overflow or Reddit. Engaging with the community can provide insights that no tutorial can.
Lastly, regarding some recommendations here for pricier platforms – they’re great, but don’t stress if you can’t budget for them. There’s plenty of free, high-quality content out there to get you up to speed. Happy coding!