What You'll Learn

• **Ruby Basics**:
• **Syntax**: Ruby's syntax and how it differs from other languages.
• **Data Types**: Ruby's data types, including numbers, strings, booleans, arrays, and hashes.
• **Variables and Constants**: How to declare and use variables and constants.
• **Control Structures**:
• **Conditional Statements**: if, else, unless, and case expressions.
• **Loops**: while, until, for, and iterators like each and map.
• **Methods and Blocks**:
• **Defining and Invoking Methods**: How to define your own methods and understand method parameters and return values.
• **Blocks**: How to use blocks with methods like .each and .map, and grasp block syntax.
• **Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)**:
• **Classes and Objects**: Concept of classes and instances (objects).
• **Instance Variables and Methods**: How objects hold data and behavior.
• **Inheritance**: How classes can inherit behavior from other classes.
• **Mixins and Modules**: Use of modules for organizing code and mixins for shared behavior.
• **Error Handling**: Handle errors gracefully using begin, rescue, and ensure blocks.
• **File and Input/Output Operations**: Understand how to read from and write to files, and perform other I/O operations.
• **Gem Management**: Learn about Ruby's package manager and how to manage project dependencies.
• **Testing in Ruby**: Testing frameworks such as RSpec or Minitest, and understand the importance of testing your code.
• **Debugging**: Techniques and tools for debugging Ruby code to identify and fix issues.

• No previous programming experience is strictly necessary to start learning Ruby. However, a few foundational skills and areas of knowledge will help:
• **Basic Programming Concepts**: Understanding fundamental programming concepts such as variables, control flow (if statements, loops), methods/functions, and data structures (arrays, hashes) can be very beneficial. While you can learn these concepts while studying Ruby, having a grasp on them beforehand will make the journey smoother.
• **Basic Computer Skills**: Fundamental computer operation skills, including using a text editor, managing files and directories, and familiarity with the command line or terminal, are essential. These skills are crucial for setting up Ruby on your system, managing your code files, and executing Ruby scripts.
• **Text Editor Familiarity**: While you can write Ruby code in a basic text editor, using one that supports code highlighting and other development features (such as Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, Vim or Emacs) can make coding more accessible and enjoyable.