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Ruby is a flexible language that allows us to write expressive and maintainable code. However, sometimes it could be necessary to work with a low-level language, looking for better performance. In this talk, I’m going to show you how to use Ruby to create an interface for compiled languages like C.
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In the video "Going Native with FFI," presented by Juan Carlos Ruiz at Euruko 2021, the speaker discusses how Ruby, while a flexible programming language, can be enhanced by integrating with low-level languages like C for improved performance. Ruiz, a software engineer and mentor, highlights the advantages of using Ruby together with C, outlining various methods to create interfaces between the two. He elaborates on two primary approaches: MKMF and FFI (Foreign Function Interface). **Key Points Discussed:** - **Introduction to Juan Carlos Ruiz:** - Ruiz's background and work with Easy Broker, his passion for open-source projects, and his history with Ruby and C. - **Using MKMF:** - MKMF generates makefiles for Ruby C extensions, enabling the compilation and linking of C code to Ruby. - The process involves wrapping C functions in Ruby, allowing Ruby modules to use these functions. - Example: Ruiz demonstrates with a small C extension that includes a simple function to print greetings and calculate squares, showing how these functions can be called from Ruby. - **Adopting FFI:** - FFI allows Ruby to call functions from C libraries directly without the need for additional C code or detailed bindings. - This method is multi-platform compatible and less complex. However, it might be challenging to maintain for more intricate C macros. - Ruiz gives an example of using FFI to manipulate PGM (Portable Gray Map) images, outlining the steps for implementing image inversion functionality through a C library. - **Examples Demonstrated:** - In the demonstration, Ruiz loads a PGM image, calls functions to invert colors, and saves the modified image using the Ruby interface tied to the C code. **Conclusions and Takeaways:** - The choice between MKMF and FFI depends on the project requirements: - Use MKMF for greater control over C code or when wrapping smaller libraries. - Opt for FFI for ease of use, especially in multi-platform projects where you want to avoid writing extensive C code. - Ruiz encourages viewers to access his GitHub for the code examples shared during the talk and invites them to reach out for further discussions.
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