Lab #9: Ruby on Rails  

Objectives

1. Write basic object-oriented Ruby scripts
2. Understand AJAX and when to (and not to) use it
3. Use Rails to develop basic web applications
4. Utilize Rails' built-in AJAX libraries

Background Material

1. Introduction

   Provides a brief overview of Ruby, AJAX, and Rails.

2. Try Ruby!: A Hands-on Tutorial

   A webpage that will let you run ruby interactively on a command line and also walk you through some basic tutorials. A great way to get started with basic Ruby syntax, especially if you prefer to learn by doing.

3. Programming Ruby - The Pragmatic Programmer's Guide (First Edition)

   The "definitive" guide to Ruby. Excellent reference material, and a great way to learn the language if you prefer to learn by reading.

4. gotAPI.com

   An excellent API reference for Ruby, Rails, and many other languages.

5. AJAX overview

   A very basic encyclopedic overview of AJAX - enough to get you comfortable with the term and understand how it fits in with Ruby on Rails.

6. Rails Weblog Example Screencast

   A .mov screencast demonstrating how to create a very simple Weblog using Rails.

7. Four Days on Rails

   A tutorial that steps you through the creation of a TODO application. Takes around 2 hours to complete.

8. Fast-track your Web apps with Ruby on Rails

   Another beginner-level tutorial from IBM that steps your through the creation of an AddressBook.

9. AJAX on Rails

   A simple tutorial that demonstrates how to use Rails' built-in AJAX libraries.

10. Rails Reference

    Short, quick reference to basic Rails material

11. Rails Manual

    Very good reference for figuring out how to do many common tasks within the ruby/rails environment.

12. HOWTO: Rails @ WPI

    If you do not have your own server to install Rails on, you can actually get it working in your personal WPI webspace. This is a step-by-step guide that I wrote to guide you step-by-step through the slightly-abnormal process of making it work.

Assignment

1. [1 pt] Install a Rails environment in your AWT webspace or on your own webserver or in a directory on Dreamhost.
2. [1 pt] Generate a scaffold of a simple, single-threaded (no replies) discussion board with posts that have the following fields: subject, body, author, and date.
3. [1 pt] Modify your scaffold so that when creating new posts, the date is set automatically by the controller instead of being user/form input.
4. [0.5 pts] Create an attractive List view for your new rails application, and make posts appear in reverse-chronological order (newest first).
5. [1.5 pts] Use Rails' built-in AJAX tools to make new posts automatically appear in your list view without refreshing the entire page.