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There are no rules in Ruby by Max Jacobson Programming requires developing ideas about How Things Work that we internalize and rely on in our day-to-day programming life: when I write a class, I can use it like this; all strings have that method; I'm allowed to use private methods in these contexts. We start to rely on them. But which are rules, and which are more like norms? Turns out that with as dynamic a language as Ruby, a lot of rules are made to be broken. Let's take a look at what we can assume to be true in our Ruby programs and what we can't.
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The video titled "There are no rules in Ruby," presented by Max Jacobson at RubyConf 2017, explores the flexible and dynamic nature of the Ruby programming language, highlighting how many commonly accepted "rules" in programming can be viewed more as guidelines or norms. Jacobson shares his personal journey as he navigates learning Ruby, aiming to provide insights into how assumptions about the language can lead to unexpected behaviors in code. ### Key Points Discussed: - **Introduction to the Topic:** Jacobson introduces the idea that Ruby does not have strict rules akin to those in more rigid programming languages. He encourages viewers to embrace Ruby's flexibility as part of their programming experience. - **Understanding "Rules":** The speaker contrasts traditional rules with those that are more permissive, using the analogy of washing hands in a restaurant only if one chooses to do so. He posits that one can approach Ruby with a similar mindset. - **Code Examples:** Jacobson provides a simple code example with a Dog class, illustrating how expectations about method behavior, such as the function `get_dog`, can lead to assumptions that may not hold true. He demonstrates how unexpected outputs can arise when changing method implementations. - **Limitations of Assumptions:** He discusses how one cannot always rely on the expected behavior of methods, pointing out that methods may not operate as initially thought, leading to runtime errors and unpredictable results. - **Learning Through Exploration:** The presenter emphasizes the importance of testing and checking the behavior of code as critical practices in Ruby programming. Observing lower-level code can offer insights into Ruby's dynamic nature and the behavior of classes and instances. - **Comparison with Rust:** Jacobson draws a comparison between Ruby and Rust, a language known for its strict rules and safety features. He explains how Rust's expectations on behavior lead to fewer unexpected crashes and errors, advocating for a robust error-handling approach even within the flexible Ruby framework. - **Software Development Practices:** The speaker encourages the importance of error tracking, comprehensive testing, and code reviews in managing Ruby's flexibility to maintain code quality. - **Final Thoughts:** He concludes by reiterating the idea that while Ruby does not impose strict rules, understanding the language's dynamics and embracing its flexibility can lead to creative coding outcomes. Jacobson expresses his passion for Ruby, advocating for a balanced approach to writing Ruby code that is both creative and responsible. ### Main Takeaways: - Ruby is more about guidelines than rigid rules, promoting exploration and creativity. - Assumptions in coding can lead to unexpected behaviors; thorough testing and understanding the language's nuances are essential. - Practices such as error handling and code reviews are crucial in ensuring code reliability, especially in a flexible environment like Ruby.
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