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Serious question: has anyone gotten anything out of these browser-based language playgrounds? I just don't think it's hard to download the real thing to try it

by cppsnob 15y ago

Serious question: has anyone gotten anything out of these browser-based language playgrounds? I just don't think it's hard to download the real thing to try it, so I thought I'd ask if anyone has really been inspired by it.

gurkendoktor 15y ago
I have a friend who knows some HTML and wants to start programming. I sent him this and the JavaScript variant (on HN recently) so he can see if either language looks less scary to him. Personally, I love browser based language introductions. On OS X for example, many Rubyists will tell you to install brew or rvm or rbenv, then a more recent Ruby (1.9.2 or 1.9.3 or...), then TextMate or more stuff for vim, ...
petercooper 15y ago
I use tools like http://jsbin.com/ http://jsbin.com/ and http://jsfiddle.net/ http://jsfiddle.net/ a lot. But it's a different kettle of fish for JavaScript / HTML / CSS, since they can be a lot more practical, running directly in the browser.
keen 15y ago
It's not hard, but it's another barrier to entry. On a personal note, I'd much rather try a language in a browser, then download it if I like it.
cubicle67 15y ago
Yeah, I'll put my hand up for this I first tried Ruby about 2004/5 or so. downloaded it, did a few examples, thought meh and forgot about it. 2007 and I came across the try ruby site (during lunch at work, I think). Started on the tutorial and by about exercise 4 I "got it". Downloaded the Windows 1-click installer and couldn't get enough. Became very proficient at using the win32ole library to automate office apps and found Ruby a great tool for scripting my job away :) fast forward a year and I got into Rails, then was able to move from enterprise Java dev into a small Rails shop, then onto the life of a freelance dev. I'd like to assume I'd have ended up here without that kick from TryRuby, but you never know
djhworld 15y ago
It's not the 'try' aspect that's useful, it's the interactive tutorial that comes with it that's engaging

by cppsnob 15y ago

gurkendoktor 15y ago

I have a friend who knows some HTML and wants to start programming. I sent him this and the JavaScript variant (on HN recently) so he can see if either language looks less scary to him. Personally, I love browser based language introductions. On OS X for example, many Rubyists will tell you to install brew or rvm or rbenv, then a more recent Ruby (1.9.2 or 1.9.3 or...), then TextMate or more stuff for vim, ...

petercooper 15y ago

I use tools like http://jsbin.com/ http://jsbin.com/ and http://jsfiddle.net/ http://jsfiddle.net/ a lot. But it's a different kettle of fish for JavaScript / HTML / CSS, since they can be a lot more practical, running directly in the browser.

keen 15y ago

It's not hard, but it's another barrier to entry. On a personal note, I'd much rather try a language in a browser, then download it if I like it.

cubicle67 15y ago

Yeah, I'll put my hand up for this I first tried Ruby about 2004/5 or so. downloaded it, did a few examples, thought meh and forgot about it. 2007 and I came across the try ruby site (during lunch at work, I think). Started on the tutorial and by about exercise 4 I "got it". Downloaded the Windows 1-click installer and couldn't get enough. Became very proficient at using the win32ole library to automate office apps and found Ruby a great tool for scripting my job away :) fast forward a year and I got into Rails, then was able to move from enterprise Java dev into a small Rails shop, then onto the life of a freelance dev. I'd like to assume I'd have ended up here without that kick from TryRuby, but you never know

djhworld 15y ago

It's not the 'try' aspect that's useful, it's the interactive tutorial that comes with it that's engaging