As a junior developer, you enter the exciting world of programming, and one of your first decisions is choosing the right programming language to start with. Among the countless options, Ruby often emerges as a great choice for beginners.
In this article, we’ll learn why Ruby is a great language for junior developers looking to embark on their coding journey.
1. Readability and Expressiveness
One of the primary reasons Ruby is favoured by newcomers is its clean and human-readable syntax. It’s a language designed with simplicity in mind. When you write Ruby code, it almost feels like you’re writing plain English. This simplicity can help ease the learning curve and make the coding experience less intimidating for beginners.
def toto
numbers = [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10]
sum = 0
numbers.each do |number|
sum += number
end
end2. Interactivity
Ruby offers an interactive shell called IRB (Interactive Ruby) that allows you to experiment with code in real-time. You can type in code snippets and immediately see the results, which can be incredibly engaging and educational. This instant feedback helps reinforce your understanding of programming concepts.
3. Strong Community Support
Ruby has a vibrant and supportive community. As a junior developer, you’ll likely encounter challenges and questions along the way. Ruby’s community is known for its willingness to help and the wealth of resources available online, including tutorials, forums, and documentation. You’re never alone when learning Ruby.
4. Rich Ecosystem
Ruby boasts a diverse ecosystem of libraries and frameworks that can simplify various development tasks. One standout is Ruby on Rails, a powerful web development framework. Learning Ruby can open doors to web development opportunities, a field with a high demand for skilled developers.
5. Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)
Ruby is a pure object-oriented programming language. While this may sound complex, it’s actually an advantage for beginners. Learning Ruby means you’ll also be learning core OOP concepts, providing you with a solid foundation for understanding programming principles that can be applied to other languages.
6. Gentle Learning Curve
The combination of Ruby’s simple syntax and developer-centric philosophy makes it easier for newcomers to grasp programming concepts without feeling overwhelmed. The language’s focus on developer happiness encourages a positive learning experience.
There are a few websites where you can learn Ruby such as CodeAcademy and w3school.
7. Cross-Platform Compatibility
Ruby is platform-agnostic, meaning it works on various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. You can use Ruby regardless of your preferred development environment.
8. Job Opportunities
While Ruby may not be as ubiquitous as some other languages like Python, there are job opportunities for Ruby developers, especially in the realm of web development. Learning Ruby can be a stepping stone to a rewarding career.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ruby offers a fantastic starting point for junior developers. Its readability, interactivity, strong community, rich ecosystem, and gentle learning curve make it a welcoming language for beginners. However, remember that the “best” programming language ultimately depends on your goals and interests. While Ruby is an excellent choice, it’s always worth exploring other languages to find the one that aligns best with your long-term aspirations. Regardless of your choice, dedication, practice, and a passion for learning are the keys to success on your programming journey.
Happy coding!
