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We all interface with Ruby libraries every day, so we all know what makes up a "good" Ruby API. But there is a lot more to a "good" library than just the API: proper logging, flexible configuration, a sane exception hierarchy, and useful documentation, just to name a few. How do we do these things properly? What pros/cons are there to different approaches? Unfortunately, no one really talks about these things, despite being very important to the overall feel of a library. In this talk I'll share my knowledge of these things from being the maintainer of popular Ruby applications and libraries. I'll show you the idiomatic Ruby way to do logging, configuration, exception handling, and much much more. But don't worry, I won't just be preaching, I'll show you the reasons why these methods have become the community approved way of doing things. Help us caption & translate this video! http://amara.org/v/FGfl/
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In the video "Building a Ruby Library, the Parts No One Talks About," presented by Mitchell Hashimoto at Aloha RubyConf 2012, the speaker delves into the essential non-API components that contribute to creating a high-quality Ruby library. While a good API is often emphasized, Hashimoto explains that several other factors play a crucial role in the overall functionality and user experience of a library. He shares insights garnered from his extensive experience in Ruby development, highlighting important aspects such as: - **Intuitive API**: A well-designed API should feel familiar to Ruby developers and adhere to established Ruby conventions, ensuring an intuitive user experience. - **Semantic Versioning**: The importance of versioning is addressed, noting that adhering to semantic versioning helps convey the nature of updates—major changes for backward-incompatible updates, minor for backward-compatible enhancements, and patches for bug fixes. - **Dependencies Management**: Hashimoto encourages the use of a Gemfile for managing dependencies, emphasizing the need for pessimistic version constraints to avoid breaking changes in dependent libraries. - **Code Style and File Hierarchy**: He suggests utilizing community-driven style guides and maintaining a conventional file structure within gems, which improves usability for contributors. - **Configuration Methods**: Proper configuration facilitates clarity and ease of understanding for users, with preferences for straightforward Ruby-based configurations over complex DSLs. - **Logging Practices**: Effective logging is deemed essential for debugging; Hashimoto critiques Ruby's standard Logger and suggests better alternatives for enhanced logging flexibility. - **Exception Handling**: The importance of establishing a proper exception hierarchy is discussed, where tailored exception classes can provide meaningful feedback to users. - **Testing Standards**: Emphasis is placed on the need for simple, effective testing structures, including support for CI tools to automate testing cycles, which ensures quality control. - **Documentation**: Hashimoto stresses the significance of comprehensive documentation for improving user engagement and understanding of the library. - **Community Support**: Finally, he underscores the necessity of providing a support channel for users, which can mitigate frustrations and enhance library usage. In conclusion, Hashimoto argues that while the technical aspects of library creation can be mundane, they are vital for the library's success and user satisfaction. Proper attention to these details can significantly improve the overall quality and reliability of Ruby libraries.
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