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by Matthew Clark
Ruby might be one of the easier languages for learning programming, but that doesn’t mean it holds the programmers hand in any way, or is somehow easy. Exactly the opposite. Ruby is flexible enough to allow coders to do just about anything the like, for better or worse. So why is it the language of choice at the coding bootcamps springing up across the country, when it allows new programmers to get into so much trouble? Are we doing these young programmers a disservice by teaching Ruby simply because we love our deliciously readable and expressive examples, or are we tapping into something better for students, an enlightened path that is more likely to propel them up and over the steeper learning curve Ruby demands? With Ruby, students are thrown into the deep end of a culture that believes strongly why we do things one way rather than another. There is a common goal to make the right way to do things also the easiest way. Collaboration is the norm, which is the best way to learn. I could go on, and I will, in the talk. I’ll expand on why Ruby is great as a first language because we are great as a community. We demand so much more from our junior programmers because the tooling is so good and the language is so approachable that students grasp advanced concepts much sooner on the path. We hold juniors to higher levels of quality, testing, and readability and they are better developers in the long run for it. Ruby is a great first language because discussions of the ‘how’ quickly give way to the ‘why’, and junior developers get it, and they don’t stay junior developers for long.

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The video titled "The How and Why of Ruby" by Matthew Clark discusses the merits of Ruby as a programming language, particularly as a first language for new programmers. Clark, a partner in a coding school focused on Ruby, emphasizes that despite Ruby's flexibility and extensibility allowing for various programming approaches, it also enables students to grow into skilled developers more effectively. He draws parallels between learning programming and the skill of high-fiving, illustrating how critical thinking and practice are essential to mastery.

Key points discussed in the video include:  
- **Ruby as a Craftsman's Language**: Clark describes Ruby as a flexible and extensible language suitable for both novices and experienced programmers.  
- **Community and Collaboration**: He emphasizes the importance of community in enhancing the learning experience, with a focus on collaboration and quality expectations from junior developers.  
- **Learning Process**: Through a personal anecdote involving a high-five, Clark highlights the significance of trial and error in learning, drawing a comparison to programming where understanding the 'how' leads to insights about the 'why'.  
- **Critical Thinking in Programming**: He categorizes thinking in programming into critical reasoning, analytical reasoning, and logical analysis, stressing the importance of understanding not just how to code but why specific methods are preferred.  
- **Training Efficient Use of Ruby**: The video discusses the benefits of teaching Ruby in boot camps, noting how it opens up complex concepts without overwhelming students with intricate technical details.

Throughout the talk, Clark mentions important concepts like MVC patterns, object-oriented programming, and the significance of writing readable code over mechanical learning. He concludes that while there are concerns regarding the influx of junior developers, the market's demand for quality software continues to grow.

**Conclusions and Takeaways**: Ruby is depicted as an ideal first language due to its supportive community and the emphasis on critical thinking and craftsmanship. New developers cultivated in Ruby environments tend to mature quickly, leading to better software quality and innovation in the industry.

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