Head First Rails: A learner's companion to Ruby on Rails

By Shusaku Tsumoto

Ready to transport your web applications into the Web 2.0 era? Head First Rails takes your programming -- and productivity -- to the max. You'll learn everything from the fundamentals of Rails scaffolding to building customized interactive web apps using Rails' rich set of tools and the MVC framework. Please note this book covers Rails 2.

By the time you're finished, you'll have learned more than just another web framework. You'll master database interactions, integration with Ajax and XML, rich content, and even dynamic graphing of your data -- all in a fraction of the time it takes to build the same apps with Java, PHP, ASP.NET, or Perl. You'll even get comfortable and familiar with Ruby, the language that underpins Rails. But you'll do it in the context of web programming, and not through boring exercises such as "Hello, World "

Your time is way too valuable to waste struggling with new concepts. Using the latest research in cognitive science and learning theory to craft a multi-sensory learning experience, Head First Rails uses a visually rich format designed to take advantage of the way your brain really works.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0596515774
• ISBN13: 9780596515775
• Release Date: February 2009
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media
• Length: 462 Pages
• Weight: 1.94 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 8.0" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Excellent introduction

I've been interested in Ruby on Rails for the last couple of years. As a Computer Science grad, I didn't so much need a book explaining programming or concepts like object orientation. What I needed was a book explaining the mindset required for the RoR framework. And that is exactly what this book does. I agree with other reviewers; this book would be no good for reference, but it is a great way of getting into RoR. Enjoy...

Recommendations for learning from the ground up.

I got started in programming with Head First Java (1st ed.) back in 2005 at age 27. Having read several or many more titles since then, Head First is a great place to start, especially for those new to programming. The absence of hazing and snark is somewhat priceless. The book calls for existing knowledge of a programming language, and for that I recommend starting here. Everyday Scripting with Ruby: For Teams, Testers,...

Great book for starters

I had to learn Rails for one of my classes this year. I'd looked through many Rails books and I didn't find any of them too helpful. They would either be dull to read or too confusing to understand. I bought this book a few days back and it has been very helpful. It works through different "projects" through the book whose complexity keeps increasing as you keep progressing. The best part about the book is that it makes...

Brilliant Book

I have to agree with Paul and disagree with the previous two reviews. In fact it's difficult to believe I've been reading the same book as those two guys. I do notice that both those reviewers already have experience using Rails and I suppose this could be the difference. Like Paul I have never used Rails in my life and was attracted by the current buzz around Ruby and Rails generally. I am, however, a pretty experienced...

I love this book!

I've been eagerly anticipating Head First Rails, and it didn't disappoint. I'm a Java developer, and I've wanted to convert to Rails for quite some time. I tried other books, but they seemed to gloss over a lot of the details about how Rails actually works, and I found it difficult to get a real handle on it. Not this book. After working through Head First Rails, I feel as though I really know what's going on, it's less of...