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Ruby Version Management
A Beginner’s Guide
Like Python, Ruby is shipped with every Mac.
Yet you might need to control the version of Ruby that you are using, because macOS often includes an outdated Ruby version that may not support a required version of Ruby Gems for a particular task.
There are common iOS development tools (CocoaPods, Fastlane) that are Ruby-based so this is important stuff!
Terminology
Ruby Gems: Ruby’s package manager, enabling developers to distribute, manage, and install libraries or dependencies (called gems) to extend and enhance Ruby’s functionality.
Ruby: An open-source programming language focused on simplicity and productivity, with an elegant syntax that is easy to read and write. Frequently used for web development.
Why Manage Ruby and RubyGems
Tools like CocoaPods, Fastlane, and other Ruby-based gems are commonly used in iOS development. Since they are Ruby gems they are Ruby packages and are distributed and managed via RubyGems, Ruby’s package management system (so essentially is like when a Python package is installed via pip). These can also be installed with brew, but if you require more control and customization you might choose to install them through RubyGems.
