Interactive Ruby Shell

Infobox Software
name = Interactive Ruby Shell
logo =


caption =
developer = Keiju Ishitsuka
latest release version = 0.9.5
latest release date = release date|2007|02|13
operating system = Cross-platform
platform = Ruby interpreter
programming language = Ruby
genre = Ruby shell
license = [http://www.ruby-lang.org/en/about/license.txt/ Ruby License]
GNU General Public License
website = http://www.ruby-lang.org/en/

Interactive Ruby Shell (IRB) is a shell for programming in the object-oriented scripting language Ruby. IRB is run from the command line and allows the programmer to experiment with code in real time. It allows you to enter Ruby commands at the prompt and have the interpreter respond immediately. It features command history, line editing capabilities, and job control, and is able to communicate directly as a shell script over the Internet and interact with a live server. It was developed by Keiju Ishitsuka.

Program usage: irb [ options ] [ "programfile" ] [ "argument..." ]

Example usage:irb(main):001:0> n = 5=> 5irb(main):002:0> def fact(n)irb(main):003:1> if n <= 1irb(main):004:2> 1irb(main):005:2> elseirb(main):006:2* n * fact(n - 1)irb(main):007:2> endirb(main):008:1> end=> nilirb(main):009:0> fact(n)=> 120

ee also

* Comparison of computer shells

External links

* [http://www.rubycentral.com/pickaxe/trouble.html "When Trouble Strikes"] chapter from "Programming Ruby"
* [http://www.rubycentral.com/pickaxe/irb.html "Interactive Ruby Shell"] chapter from "Programming Ruby"
* [http://tryruby.hobix.com/ Try Ruby!] &mdash;An interactive tutorial and Ruby shell within your browser.
* [http://showmedo.com/videos/video?name=rubyLakeIrbCompletion Enabling Tab Completion in IRB]